DENVER (KDVR) — While dogs in Colorado may be living spoiled lives, the Denver Animal Protection reports it has already responded to 130 calls for animals trapped in vehicles during extreme temperatures since the start of the year.
The number is high, as last year Denver Animal Protection received a total of 450 calls. The agency also noted that it’s received 277 calls for animals without shelter access — last year the agency only received 595 calls.
Leaving an animal in an overheated car for any period can lead to heatstroke. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise by about 20 degrees in around 10 minutes.
That’s why many agencies have begun using the phrase, “If you love them, leave them at home,” to spread awareness of heatstroke from leaving animals (or children) inside hot cars. The safest place for a pet is at home in a controlled environment, Denver Animal Protection said.
Why you should never leave a dog in a locked car
A study conducted by the Louisiana Office of Public Health found that when measuring the temperatures of a dark sedan and a light gray minivan both parked on a hot but partly cloudy day reached over 125 degrees within 20 minutes. Don’t make the mistake of thinking a cracked window will help, as experts have proven that a slightly open window does little if anything to lower temperatures inside the vehicle.
Dogs also have a harder time releasing heat from their bodies, primarily through panting — exchanging hot air for cooler air. But in a hot car, that technique does not work.
Leaving a pet in an overheated car can lead to a pet’s death, as well as a summons for animal cruelty and a potential fine of up to $999 and 300 days in jail. If you find an animal that you suspect is suffering from heatstroke, Denver Animal Protection instructs individuals to:
- Move the animal to shade or a cooler area. Cool the animal down with water or ice packs placed only on the stomach.
- Offer cool drinking water, but don’t force your pet to drink.
- Don’t confine the animal.
- Contact an emergency veterinarian to see if the animal has suffered irreversible damage.
Denver Animal Protection also instructs individuals on what to do if they see a dog in a hot car. First, call the agency at 720-913-2080. The city’s good Samaritan law provides legal immunity to people who break a car window to save an animal, but there are a few key points to know before breaking in:
- You must believe the animal is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury
- The vehicle must be locked
- You must have made a “reasonable effort” to find the vehicle owner
- You have contacted the Denver Police Department, fire department or Denver Animal Protection before breaking the window
- You must remain with the animal after breaking them out of the vehicle until police or Denver Animal Protection arrives on scene
There are a few other important notes to remember about having a dog in Denver ahead of summer, including that it’s illegal to let dogs ride loose in truck beds and some dogs can get sunburned.
