For immediate release:
June 29, 2021
Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382
Allentown, Pennsylvania. Scorching temperatures this week, which are expected to hit the 90s in Allentown, put dogs at high risk of suffering heat exhaustion and death, which is why PETA is issuing an urgent warning to anyone with a dog. Be sure to do the following:
- Touch the sidewalk to make sure it doesn’t burn 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, andnever leave animals outdoors in extreme heat or in vehicles.
This month, PETA field workers discovered the body of a dog that died after being left chained to the scorching sun, and similar reports are starting to surface across the country. Recently, a law enforcement officer mistakenly left his patrol car with a dog inside it, and K-9 could not stand the heat prostration and died. Last year, more than 31 dogs died from heat-related causes… (The numbers are likely much higher as most heat-related deaths go unreported.)
PETA also calls on everyone to support the Hot Cars Act of 2021, which requires automakers to install technology in vehicles to detect the presence of a child or animal and alert drivers when someone is in the back seat.
Anyone who leaves animals outside to get hurt in harsh weather can be held accountable for the cruelty.