Take Care of Pets in the Heat!

Bentley on a hot day in Pasadena (Photo – BreAnn Mueller)

Two dogs died inside a hot car parked outside Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia recently, and similar reports nationwide are rolling in.

By News Desk

For some dogs, such as these, help comes too late. Already this year, 20 dogs have been reported dead from heat-related causes. (Figures are far likely higher, as most heat-related companion animal deaths go unreported.)

This week’s high temperatures put dogs at a high risk of enduring heat prostration and dying, so PETA is issuing an urgent warning to anyone with a dog: Never leave them inside vehicles, and please be sure to do the following:

• Touch the pavement before walks to ensure that it won’t burn dogs’ foot pads.
• Be alert to a curled-up tongue and heavy panting, as dogs cannot sweat as humans can and heat builds up inside their bodies.
• Walk only in the shade or on earth or grass, and never leave animals alone outdoors.

> PETA urges everyone to support the Hot Cars Act of 2021, which would require automakers to install technology in vehicles to detect the presence of an animal or a child and alert drivers when someone is in the backseat.