For immediate release:
August 12, 2021
Contact:
But back 202-483-7382
Orlando, Florida. “A dog left in a hot car in Orlando was recently rescued by the police, and similar reports are coming across the country at an uncontrollable rate. Some dogs, including K-9, who have recently died after being left in a patrol car, receive help too late. Already this year, 28 dogs were registered dead from heat-related causes… (The numbers are likely much higher, as most heat-related pet deaths go unreported.)
The high temperatures this week put dogs at high risk of heat prostration and death, so PETA issues an urgent warning to anyone with a dog: Never leave them in vehicles, and be sure to do the following.
- Touch the sidewalk before walking to avoid scalding your dog’s paw pads.
- Watch out for long, twisted tongue and heavy breathing, as dogs cannot sweat like humans and heat builds up in their bodies.
- Walk only in the shade, on the ground or grass, and never leave the animals alone (On Memorial Day weekend, PETA field workers discovered the body of a dog that died after being chained in the hot sun.)
PETA thanks Orlando Police for taking action and calls on everyone to support the Hot Cars Act 2021, which will require automakers to install technology in cars to detect the presence of an animal or child and alert drivers when someone is in the back seat.
Anyone who leaves animals in hot cars or on the street to get hurt in harsh weather can be prosecuted for the cruelty.