Leaving Dogs in Cars: A Deadly Risk

A recent demonstration conducted by the Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) in coastal Encinitas, California, highlighted the dangers of leaving dogs in cars, even on mild summer days. Niki Plasse, the community outreach manager at RCHS, volunteered to bake in the branded Volvo Wednesday to show the public just how quickly temperatures can rise inside a vehicle.

1. Temperatures rose from 71 degrees to 111 degrees in just over two minutes
2. It took 50 seconds to reach 90 degrees
3. 75 seconds to reach 101 degrees
4. Two minutes and two seconds to reach 111 degrees

 

“It’s going to be hot in there no matter what,” said Plasse. “It’s pretty much always a bad idea to do it, but we see so many instances of people leaving dogs in the car.”

 

The organization urged the public not to leave dogs in vehicles, even for a short period, as temperatures can rise rapidly. According to John Van Zante, the spokesman for RCHS, a dog’s body temperature can rise to 138 degrees in a car where the air is heated up to 90 degrees, causing the dog to heat up further with every pant.

Key Facts:

Dogs do not sweat, so panting does not bring relief.

Heat exhaustion can set in quickly, causing diarrhea, nausea, and a reddening of gums and skin on the inside of the ears.

Heat stroke can occur if heat exhaustion goes on for too long, causing organs to shut down.

 

If you believe your dog is suffering from heat stroke, it is essential to take immediate action. Hose it down with cool water and rush it to the nearest veterinarian. Heat stroke may take as long as three days to set in.

Temperature	Time to reach temperature
71 degrees	2 minutes, 2 seconds
90 degrees	50 seconds
101 degrees	75 seconds

 

Plasse witnessed a husky/German shepherd mix sitting alone in a hot car and took the legal steps to check for the owner before calling the police. She shouted out loud to see if the owner was nearby and checked the windows and doors to ensure the dog was not in danger. “If you’ve taken all the steps, do what your conscience tells you to,” said Van Zante. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to break into a vehicle to save an animal’s life, RCHS encourages you to take photos and/or videos before and during any such efforts to prove your case. California is a “Right to Rescue” state, which allows citizens to break into a vehicle to save an animal if it’s in imminent danger, provided they meet certain conditions and contact authorities first. The owner returned before the police arrived, but circumstances such as this are not uncommon in San Diego County. Don’t Leave Your Dog Behind

 

The risks of leaving dogs in cars are very real, and the consequences can be deadly. As Plasse demonstrated, temperatures can rise rapidly, causing heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The organization urges the public to be aware of the dangers and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their pets. “It’s not just about the dog, it’s about the owner’s responsibility,” said Plasse.