As heat temperatures rise in our area, the chance of law enforcement getting calls of dogs being left in a hot car also rises. The issue of pet owners leaving their animals in the car is still ongoing. “You would think it would be common knowledge not to leave your animal in a hot car, but unfortunately, it happens,” said Mark Davis, Anderson County Sheriff's Office staff sergeant.Last week, they got a call about a dog being left inside a car in a gym parking lot. “Animals are very susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat-related illnesses. And so, leaving animals in vehicles, even on days that, to us, feel mild, can definitely turn into a bad situation very quickly,” said Davis.Even if windows are only down an inch or two, it can still restrict airflow. “Sometimes the situation where we find a dog that has been left in a car, say at a Walmart or a situation like that where it's been on there for 30-45 mins and that's a situation that definitely calls for some attention,” Davis said.The signs of heat exhaustion in a dog can vary. “Heavy panning, if they're in there long enough, you're going to start seeing their eyes glazed over. You'll start to see them go unconscious or where they're not responding to tapping on the window,” Davis said.Authorities say the community is the reason they've been able to save the animals they have. “We definitely rely on the public's assistance to look and watch. And when they see something that needs to be noted and identified, they need to call us,” Davis said. Davis also says to take responsibility for your animal and understand that you're required by law to take proper care of them.
As heat temperatures rise in our area, the chance of law enforcement getting calls of dogs being left in a hot car also rises.
The issue of pet owners leaving their animals in the car is still ongoing.
“You would think it would be common knowledge not to leave your animal in a hot car, but unfortunately, it happens,” said Mark Davis, Anderson County Sheriff's Office staff sergeant.
Last week, they got a call about a dog being left inside a car in a gym parking lot.
“Animals are very susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat-related illnesses. And so, leaving animals in vehicles, even on days that, to us, feel mild, can definitely turn into a bad situation very quickly,” said Davis.
Even if windows are only down an inch or two, it can still restrict airflow.
“Sometimes the situation where we find a dog that has been left in a car, say at a Walmart or a situation like that where it's been on there for 30-45 mins and that's a situation that definitely calls for some attention,” Davis said.
The signs of heat exhaustion in a dog can vary.
“Heavy panning, if they're in there long enough, you're going to start seeing their eyes glazed over. You'll start to see them go unconscious or where they're not responding to tapping on the window,” Davis said.
Authorities say the community is the reason they've been able to save the animals they have.
“We definitely rely on the public's assistance to look and watch. And when they see something that needs to be noted and identified, they need to call us,” Davis said.
Davis also says to take responsibility for your animal and understand that you're required by law to take proper care of them.
