On Sunday, July 6, the temperature in Long Beach hit 88. This translates into roughly 140 degrees inside the confines of a parked car— a temperature far too hot for any dog to survive. Tragically, a little dog lost its life in a hot car on Sunday.
The owners of the dog left him in the car while they went inside a restaurant to have lunch. Upon returning to the car, they found the dog limp and lifeless. The fire department was called, and resuscitation efforts were attempted— to no avail.
Any temperature above 70 degrees is too hot for an animal to survive in a car. The best place for your beloved animal during the hot months is at home, with access to plenty of water and shade. And if you think leaving the car running with the AC on is a solution, think again. The engine can overheat, shutting off the AC which instead blows hot air into the car.
Another thing: please don’t walk or run your dog on hot pavement, asphalt or sand. If you can’t comfortably stand barefoot for 7 to10 seconds on the surface, don’t make them.
If you happen to see an animal in a hot car, note the make, model and license plate of the vehicle and have nearby businesses attempt to find the owner. Stay with the vehicle until the owner shows up or help arrives. Call 9-1-1 if the situation is dire. Gather witnesses and attempt to gain access into the vehicle if all else fails. You can find more information, windshield flyers and PSAs to post on your Facebook and Twitter accounts at peta.com .
Summertime is upon us; do the right thing and leave your four-legged friends at home.
Kirsten J Copenhaver
Registered health information administrator
Long Beach
