Jul 19, 2008 11:22 am US/Eastern
Hot Weekend Conditions Put Pets At Risk
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
As officials warn of extremely hot and humid conditions across the region this weekend, pet owners are urged to protect their animals from the heat.
Earlier this week, the owner of a French bulldog left the animal inside a parked car in Watertown. The dog was found dead a half hour later.
Experts say it only takes minutes for a dog to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation when left in a hot car. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s on Saturday, with the possibility of being the hottest day of the year if the mercury reaches 96 degrees.
Experts say on a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the sun can hit a scorching 160 degrees. On an 80 degree day, the inside of a car can heat up to 110 degrees in just 10 minutes.
Children and pets should not be left in a parked car if temperatures are 60 degrees or higher.
There are some symptoms pet owners can look for to indicate whether their animal is in heat distress. Those symptoms include heavy panting, rapid breathing, staggering and weakness.
Should a pet become over-heated, owners can place it in cool, not cold, water to slowly reduce body heat.
Animal control officials say if a dog is found left inside a parked car, try to locate its owner immediately. If the car is parked outside a store, ask a store employee to page the owner.
If the owner isn't found quickly, call police.
The MSPCA-Angell has more information on the
dangers of leaving a pet in a parked car on a hot day.
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