DON'T Leave Your Dog In A Parked Car!

Why do I dislike people so much? There are times (like on very hot days) when I am simply amazed at the complete stupidity of people. Every summer I tur on the local news when I wake up and they are running stories (not just one) about people who have left their pets locked in their car in 95+ degree weather. There have been many 98 degree days here and these idiots leave their dogs in cars, parked in the sun. In each case, when caught, they are charged with Animal Cruelty, a joke in itself with the penalties that are given. In many of these cases the dog dies, so charging the owner doesn’t do anything for the dog. For anyone who would leave a dog in a parked car, please do NOT own a pet. You are just not smart or caring enough and the dog deserves so much better than you.

Some people think nothing of leaving their dog in a parked car while they "go inside for just a few minutes." An hour or more later, they come out to find their dog dead in the car. I know I'll see a dog left in a parked car again this summer, as I have in previous summers and I also know that when I confront the owner they'll look at me like I'm from outer space. If you even think of leaving your dog in a parked car on a hot day, I challenge you to try the experiment highlighted below.

It takes only minutes for a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. Most people don't realize or stop to think how hot it can get in a parked car on a balmy day. On a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees -- and hit a scorching 160 degrees if parked in the sun!

Even when the outside air temperature is in the 60s, temperatures inside some vehicles can reach the danger zone on bright, sunny days. So many experts recommend not to leave pets in parked cars even for short periods.

Rolling down a window or parking in the shade doesn't guarantee protection, since temperatures can still climb into the danger zone. And if the window is rolled down sufficiently, the pet can escape. Also, if a passer-by claims he or she was bitten through the car window, the pet owner will be liable.

What about leaving the dog in the car with the air-conditioning running? Many people do this, but tragedy can strike -- and it has. For example, a police dog in Texas died after the air-conditioning in the patrol car shut down and began blowing hot air. The air system's compressor kicked off because the engine got too hot. Many cars, including modern models with computerized functions, are prone to the same problem. In North Carolina a couple lost two of their beloved dogs, and nearly lost their third dog, as result of a similar failure. They had left bowls of water and ice in the car, and the air-conditioning on, during their shopping trip of less than 30 minutes.

Try this experiment on a hot summer day. Drive your car to the mall, park in the sun, roll up the windows, turn off the air conditioner and see if you can sit there for ten minutes without sweating, finding it difficult to breathe or panicking. Use an interior thermometer and watch the temperature climb steadily. Now, think of your dog:

Animals are not able to sweat like humans do. Dogs cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. If they have only overheated air to breathe, animals can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke. Just 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 dog at home on warm days.

* On trips with your pet, bring plenty of fresh drinking water and bowl.

* Don't let dogs ride loose in pick-up truck beds. The hot metal can burn a dog's paws, the sun and flying debris can hurt the dog, the dog can accidentally be thrown out of the truck if the brakes are suddenly applied, and the dog can jump out if scared or if he/she sees something interesting to chase. Instead, use a crate to create a safer space for the dog if you can't fit the dog inside the truck cab.

* Take the dog into the shade, an air conditioned area, or to the vet if you see signs of heat exhaustion, which include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, dark tongue, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness, or lack of coordination. 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. Call your veterinarian.



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 stores and ask the managers to page the owner.

* Call the police, which usually can respond much faster than can animal control departments. The police have the capability to enter the vehicle and rescue the pet.

* For those who believe this can't or won't happen, here are a few stories of others who probably thought the same thing:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/crime-scene/the-district/a-tourist-from-michigan-was.html

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/crime/dog-left-in-car-and-dies-man-charged

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/aug/03/dog-dies-after-it-was-left-car-more-two-hours-poli/

http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/Man-leaves-dogs-in-hot-car--99787874.html



It is against the law in most jurisdictions to leave a pet unattended in a standing or parked motor vehicle in a manner that endangers the health or safety of the animal.
 

 

You can go to MyDogIsCool to print flyers if you would like to use them to educate others to the danger of leaving your pet in a park car during hot days.

Say NO to Breed Specific Legislation

Breed specific legislation (BSL) is any government law, rule or regulation that applies only to certain breeds of dogs, or discriminates against certain dogs based on their breeds. Such laws usually target breeds that have a stereotype of being dangerous, such as Rottweilers or "pit bulls." Pit bulls are actually three different breeds: the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier and the Staffordshire bull terrier.

BSL might require additional registration fees for certain breeds of dogs, requires the dogs to be muzzled in public, or, as in most cases, completely forbids the keeping of those dogs.

BSL is based on stereotypes of certain dog breeds, and has nothing to do with whether a particular dog is dangerous or vicious. Tests by the American Temperament Testing Society show that collies, toy poodles, or beagles are all more aggressive than the three "pit bull" breeds. These laws foster irrational fears and lead to animals being abandoned.

BSL fails to target the problem: bad dog owners, and has proven ineffective in protecting public safety. Those who are causing the problems with their dogs will not care about the law.  Either these owners will continue to own the breeds mentioned in the BSL or dump the dogs, get a new breed and continue the cycle. Or, a restriction will make the breeds more attractive to those who get a feeling of power by intentionally breaking the law. Some owners are simply poorly educated and do not know what it takes to properly raise, train, socialize and manage any dog.  Owners who are intentionally bad or owners who are undereducated and irresponsible are the problems that need to be addressed. Also,

BSL is tough to enforce, expensive and often very vague with their descriptions and how to identify a dangerous dog.

Breeds are targeted because of a lack of education.  Legislators and the general public do not take the time to learn the truth behind many breeds mentioned in BSL. Instead, they believe hype and information from undereducated and unreliable sources. The people creating the most problem with dogs are: those using dogs as status symbols for the wrong reasons; undereducated owners who do not realize the time it takes to properly raise any dog; those who unintentionally allow undesired behaviors to grow and fail to address them.  How many people let tiny pups play tug of war with their hands or feet? Are they aware that this actually teaches the pup it is good to bite humans when playing?  Children often unintentionally or intentionally do things that can lead to a bite: teasing, inappropriate play, trying to pet strange dogs, scaring dogs, etc. It looks better for lawmakers to ban a breed than to target the true source of the problem with supposedly killer breeds: often young, unsupervised, poorly raised kids or the irresponsible adult looking for another status symbol. There is little personal accountability any more.  If something is being used for the bad, take it away from all as opposed to targeting the source of the bad – the human.  Any dog can be a problem.  It is the human that decides what the dog becomes – regardless of the breed.

People opposed to BSL are trying to get legislators to address the root of the problem without punishing the good.  But legislators are often poorly educated and/or use the wrong sources for their information. They go by what is printed in the media and not reality. It looks better in the eyes of the undereducated to blame the dog than the human.

So, what can you do to stop BSL? When you hear of a BSL anywhere, start writing letters, faxes, phone calls, emails, etc. In a calm, rational and non-insulting manner, try to educate lawmakers about why BSL is not the way to go when addressing dog issues.  Push for laws that target the owner regardless of the type of dog owned.  Encourage them to create leash laws and see they are enforced. Increase penalties for animal abuse, cruelty and the use of animals as weapons.  In many communities it is a misdemeanor to neglect or abuse an animal.  Lastly, encourage owners of breeds not mentioned to become involved with the fight. 

"Punish the deed, not the breed." Each dog should be judged as an individual, regardless of breed.

 

Summer Heat is Very Dangerous For Your Dog

 

This poor dog was forced to spend hours outside on the hot pavement in 95+ degree weather. Hot asphalt WILL bur your dog's paws!

Symptoms of  overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time-even with the windows open-which could lead to fatal heat stroke.  Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.