Dog's car death leads to warning
By Diane Urbani de la Paz, Peninsula Daily News
Print This |
Email This
Recent Headlines
State parks panel today to consider transferring Fort Worden to Port Townsend control -- 2/8/12 -06:07 PM
Waterfront walkway in Port Angeles slated to be built this summer -- 2/8/12 -06:02 PM
Same-sex marriage bill goes to governor; likely signed next week -- 2/9/12 -08:50 AM
Port Angeles council pair fails to persuade colleagues to rethink lawsuit fight against FEMA -- 2/8/12 -06:02 PM
Olympic National Park chief to retire next month; interim designated -- 2/8/12 -06:17 PM
The dog perished in the Costco Wholesale parking lot, Hopper said, adding that another dog was also in the vehicle and survived.
"In the last week alone, I've been getting two or three calls a day about dogs locked in cars," said Hopper, who doubles as the city's animal control officer.
Leaving a dog — or any pet — in a vehicle on a warm day can lead to a $250 fine for animal cruelty, she said.
When asked whether the owner of the dog that died Sunday was cited, Hopper said the incident is still under investigation.
She urged people to call 9-1-1 if they see a pet locked inside a car.
When Hopper is alerted to a pet left in a vehicle, she goes to the scene and tries to find the owner; failing that she may remove the animal by breaking in.
Keep them home
Now that the mercury is rising across the North Olympic Peninsula, Hopper hopes to get out a simple message: "Leave your pets at home."
And if you can't do that, take them out of the car and into a cool, shady place. If none is nearby, stay in the car with the air conditioning running, she advised.
Your few minutes inside the store while your pet waits in the car can be deadly, Hopper said.
"If it is 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can reach 102 degrees in less than 10 minutes," she said.
In a half-hour, it can rise to 120 degrees.
"Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become an oven in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection from the heat," Hopper said.
Both long- and short-haired dogs are vulnerable to heatstroke.
"Dogs cannot sweat" except for a small amount through the pads on their paws. Excessive panting can lead to weakness, shock and eventually death, Hopper warned, adding that she's known of dogs that have injured themselves trying to escape from overheating cars.
Dogs aren't the only victims Hopper has seen stuck in vehicles.
"I had a call to the Wal-Mart parking lot," she said, where there were birds left in a car."
Hot dog? Cool advice
If you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke:
-
It's better, of course, to leave pets at home on hot days and make sure they have plenty of fresh water and a cool, shady place to rest.
More information about animal control issues and responsible pet ownership is available on the city of Sequim's Web site at www.ci.sequim.wa.us/pubworks/codecomp.cfm.
Information in Jefferson County can be found at www.co.jefferson.wa.us/AnimalServices/Info.asp.
________
Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-681-2391 or diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: July 14. 2008 9:00PM