Summer is here, and with the warm weather comes more outdoor activities and car rides with our furry friends. But even on pleasant days, leaving your pet in a parked car, no matter how quick the errand or how cracked the windows, can be deadly.
Imagine this: It’s 75 degrees outside. You take your dog to the park, then decide to run a quick errand. You crack the windows just a bit, thinking it’ll be fine for a few minutes. But in just 10 minutes, the temperature inside your vehicle can reach over 94 degrees. After 30 minutes, it can climb to 109 degrees or more, even with the windows cracked
While your pet may love
tagging along for the ride, it’s safer to leave them at home if you know they’ll be left alone in the car.
It’s a message Mark Barton, General Manager and partner at Phil Long Ford of Motor City, proud dog dad, and HSPPR sponsor, shares every chance he gets: Think twice before taking your pet on a trip that includes a stop where they’ll be left unattended. What starts with good intentions can end in tragedy.
Unfortunately, HSPPR’s Animal Law Enforcement team continues to receive calls throughout the summer about pets left alone in vehicles. Even well-meaning pet owners can misjudge how quickly a car can turn deadly. Every year, officers respond to heartbreaking cases where dogs have died from heat exposure. In some cases, the pet owners were devastated to learn they had unintentionally caused their pet’s death. But intent doesn’t change the outcome, these situations can still result in criminal charges for animal cruelty due to negligence.
Heatstroke Can Be Fatal for Pets
Heatstroke
in pets can lead to fever, organ failure, brain damage, and death. Cracking the
window doesn’t prevent this, and leaving the car running with the air on is
risky and unreliable. The best way to protect your pet? Leave them at home when
temperatures rise.
If You See a Pet in a Hot Car
- Call Animal Law Enforcement at 719-302-8798 or your local police dispatch to report it.
- If the animal appears to be in distress or unconscious, call 911 immediately.
- Colorado has a hot car immunity law, but it includes specific requirements to avoid civil or criminal liability if you attempt to break into a car. Always contact law enforcement first.
- If the dog is removed and appears overheated, move them to a cooler area, offer fresh water, and use cool (not cold) water to lower their body temperature. Then, contact a veterinarian right away.
Let’s work together to keep pets safe this summer. When in doubt, please leave your pets at home.
