Warm weather can literally be a killer for a dog left inside a car, or even in the bed of a truck. Did you know that on warm days, the inside of a car heats up very quickly? When it’s 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows left slightly open, can soar to 104 degrees within 10 minutes and reach 120 degrees in just a half hour.
Even leaving your dog for “just a minute” may be too long. A dog’s normal body temperature ranges from 101 to 102.5 degrees. Dogs can withstand a body temperature of 107 to 108 degrees for only a very short period of time before suffering from brain damage, death from heatstroke, or suffocation.
A dog can suffer from overheating even when left in the bed of a truck. Truck beds, regardless of color, will heat up quickly when parked in the sun. The metal can reach temperatures of 130 degrees or more, within minutes.
Farmington Police Department animal control officers carry a thermal, infrared temperature device that can quickly give an accurate temperature inside a vehicle. Remember, if it is too hot for a child to be left in a vehicle, it is also too hot for your pet.
Being in violation of City Ordinance 6-4-4(5) Malicious Treatment/Animal Confined to Vehicle could cost you a fine of $300. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to leave your dog at home and avoid the cost of a citation?
If you see a violation of this ordinance – report it by calling non-emergency dispatch at (505) 334-6622.
It’s not cool to leave your dog in a hot car. Please leave your dog at home!
Julie Henrie is a park ranger/animal control officer with the Farmington Police Department’s Park Ranger Animal Control Unit. She has been with the department since February 2014.