Douglas County warns against leaving pets in hot cars
Douglas County Animal Law Enforcement has answered 51 hot-car calls since May 1, including one dog left in 98-degree heat with the back seat nearing 110.
Douglas County Animal Law Enforcement responded to 51 calls for dogs left in hot cars since May 1 as temperatures climbed into the high 80s and 90s across Douglas County this week. In two recent cases, officers wrote warnings for Cruelty to Animals, including one dog left for about 10 minutes in 98-degree heat, where the back seat was already nearing 110 degrees when officers arrived.
On a 75-degree day, the inside of a car can reach 94 degrees in just 10 minutes and 104 degrees in 20 minutes, and cracking the windows does nothing to keep a pet safe. A parked car, truck or van can quickly become a furnace, and extreme temperatures can cause fever, organ failure, irreparable brain damage and death.
An owner or keeper may be charged with animal cruelty if a pet suffers or dies from extreme temperatures. Leaving an animal in a vehicle can itself constitute animal cruelty and may carry fines and jail time.
If a pet shows signs of heat exhaustion, soak the animal with cool, not cold, water and get it to a veterinary clinic right away. Residents who witness a pet in a hot car should call 911 or local authorities immediately and follow instructions so deputies or animal control can respond.
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