Animals are at risk of death from heat
Stuttgart. In summer temperatures there is a risk of heat death in heated vehicles: every year, numerous dogs suffer a painful death in parked cars because people underestimate the heat and its effects. PETA therefore appeals to all dog owners to never leave animals unattended in the car.
“In extreme heat, dogs in parked cars quickly become nervous, scratch desperately at the windows and panic. This worsens the already life-threatening situation and often any rescue comes too late,” says PETA specialist Björn Thun. “Anyone who leaves a dog in the car when the outside temperature is warm risks the animal’s life and must expect criminal charges.”
Avoid dangerous situations
and act quickly in an emergency
Just a few minutes in the sun are enough to heat a parked car to up to 45 degrees Celsius. But even a shaded parking space or a slightly open window do not help when temperatures are high. Since dogs have only a few sweat glands and mainly cool down by panting, they quickly suffer irreparable organ damage or cardiac arrest in the hot interior of the car.
If people discover a dog locked out in the car or on a balcony on a warm day, they need to act quickly. If the car or apartment owner cannot be found, the police must be called immediately. If the dog is already in mortal danger – signs of this include staggering, a dark tongue, glassy eyes, heavy panting or vomiting – and there is no other way to free him, it may be necessary to break the window. It is best for animal rescuers to call in witnesses who can confirm the emergency situation afterwards.
If the car is parked in a supermarket parking lot and the animal is still out of danger, the owner can be called using the license plate number. If the dog can be freed from the car or balcony, first aid measures are required immediately. Even if the animal's condition appears to improve as a result of care, the dog must be examined by a veterinarian immediately due to possible consequential damage to the internal organs.
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