City and County of Denver issued the following announcement on Aug. 20.
Amid the spate of record-high temperatures hovering around 100F across Metro Denver, Denver Animal Protection (DAP) is reminding drivers never to leave pets alone in vehicles – not even in the shade, not even for that “quick minute” to run an errand. A car is not a babysitter, and this is a preventable tragedy.
Temperatures inside a vehicle can reach 120F in a matter of minutes – with the dashboard, steering wheel and seats hitting closer to 123-157F – putting animals at risk for life-threatening heatstroke that can cause organ failure and death. Dogs and cats don’t sweat all over like humans, instead releasing small amounts through their paws and nose – but not enough to release excess body heat. They primarily release heat by panting, exchanging hot for cool air, creating humidity that raises the vehicle’s internal temperature even higher. So, if a dog or cat can’t expel heat, their internal body temperature begins to rise, quickly and dangerously.
If you are concerned about a pet locked in a hot car, call 311 to request Animal Care assistance for animals showing signs of stress (heavy panting, glazed eyes, unsteadiness, vomiting), or to report a dog in a hot vehicle. Colorado’s Good Samaritan law offers legal immunity for those who break into a locked vehicle to rescue a dog, cat, or an at-risk person. And those who leave their pet in an overheated car could receive a summons for animal cruelty, a fine of up to $999 and/or 300 days in jail.
DAP also wants to remind pet owners that hot weather poses other risks for your pet, including asphalt burns from walking on too-hot pavement and potentially fatal reactions to toxic algae in lakes and ponds.
Original source can be found here.
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