For immediate release:
May 20, 2021
Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382
Portsmouth, New Hampshire – Following recent reports that Portsmouth police responded to a call that a dog was left in a hot car for more than 25 minutes, PETA is issuing an urgent warning of the importance never leave animals in hot vehicles… Last year, at least 31 animals died fromheat-related causes… (These are just the ones reported – most are not.)
BUT no one who leaves animals on the street to suffer in harsh weather can be held accountable for abuse.
The following tips will help keep companion animals safe in hot weather:
- Never leave your pet in a hot vehicle.The temperature in parked cars can skyrocket, and a dog inside can die from heatstroke within minutes – even if the car is in the shade with the windows ajar, which has little to no effect on the temperature inside the car. PETA offersemergency hammer for breaking windowsfor help in life situations.
- Keep animals indoors and leave them at home when it is hot outside.Unlike humans, dogs can only sweat through their paw pads and cool down by panting, so even short exposure to the sun can be life-threatening. Anyone who sees animals in distress and cannot help should note their whereabouts and alert authorities immediately.
- Avoid hot sidewalk.When the outside temperature reaches the 80s, the temperature of the asphalt can rise to 140 degrees, causing pain, burns and irreversible damage to the dog’s paws after just a few minutes of contact. Walk your dogs on the grass whenever possible and avoid walking in the middle of the day. Never run with dogsin hot weather, they will collapse before they surrender, and then it will be too late to save them.
PETA released warm weather social service announcement withMcKenna Grace… For more information visitPETA.org…