Release: 22 Jun 2010 by Orange County Animal Services

With temperatures reaching the high 90s, Orange County Animal Services is aggressively cracking down on pets left unattended in cars.  Pet owners can face a civil citation for neglect in the amount of $265 and additional criminal charges by law enforcement.

This year already, Animal Services has responded to several calls regarding dogs left inside unattended vehicles. Even before temperatures climbed to what they are today, a dog died in a theme park parking lot after being locked in a hot car for hours. Cases similar to this happen all too frequently.

Animal Services recommends every pet owner be familiar with the following dangers of leaving a pet inside a hot car and take precautions.

DANGERS:

• It takes only minutes for a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. Temperatures inside a car easily reach more than 160 degrees if parked in the Florida sun.
• Even when the outside air temperature is in the 60s, temperatures inside some vehicles can reach dangerous temperatures on bright, sunny days. Many experts recommend not leaving pets in parked cars even for short periods if the temperature is in the 60s or higher.
• Rolling down a window or parking in the shade does not guarantee protection either, since temperatures can still climb. If the window is rolled down sufficiently, the pet can escape. Plus, if a passerby claims he or she was bitten through the car window, the pet owner may be held responsible.
• Animals are not able to sweat like humans. Dogs cool themselves by panting and by releasing heat through their paws. If they have only overheated air to breathe, animals can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke. Less than 15 minutes can be enough for an animal's body temperature to climb from a normal 102.5 to deadly levels that will damage the nervous and cardiovascular systems, often leaving the animal comatose, dehydrated and at-risk of permanent impairment or death.

PRECAUTIONS:

• Leave your pets at home during warm days.  Do not run errands with your pet.  If an unexpected stop occurs, do not leave your pet unattended in the car.  It is best to take your pet home or to a safe location before making any stops.  On trips with your pet, bring plenty of fresh drinking water and a bowl.
• Signs of heatstroke include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, dark tongue, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness or lack of coordination.
• If you see signs of heat exhaustion, take the dog into the shade, an air-conditioned area or to your veterinarian. 
• To lower body temperature,  gradually give the animal water to drink, place a cold towel or ice pack on the head, neck and chest, and/or immerse the dog in cool (not cold) water.
• Orange County Code Sec. 5-43 states it is against the law to leave a dog, cat or other animal unattended in a parked vehicle with inadequate or no ventilation.
• If you see a pet in a vehicle on a hot day, take immediate action: Note the car make, model, color and tag number, then go to the nearest store and ask the managers to page the vehicle owner. Call the police, they will alert Animal Services. The police have the capability to enter the vehicle and rescue the pet.

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