FAMILY DOG

Do you take your dog for a ride when running quick errands? What can occur if you leave your dog in a car unattended and what to do in an emergency.

HOW CARS KILL DOGS

E. Katie Gammill, AKC Judge and TheDogPlace.org Exhibition Editor

A “quick trip” can quickly turn deadly if the store clerk is slow or you happen to meet a friend. Your dog can sustain brain damage or die from heat stroke in just 10-15 minutes! Imprint these facts into your memory and protect your best friend this summer.

On a 75-degree day, the temperature inside your parked car may soar to 100-120 degrees within minutes. On a 90-degree day, it can reach over 160 degrees. 130 degrees cooks a steak...

A dog’s only relief from heat is panting. Cracking the window, even lowering it all the way down does NOT allow enough ventilation. Locking your car door may insure your dog isn’t stolen but it also makes it difficult for anyone to assist a pet in distress. Police carry tools that will smash a car window but by the time they arrive, the dog can be beyond help.

If overheating occurs, you may see excessive thirst, heaving panting, lethargy, dark tongue, and rapid heartbeat. Heat stroke symptoms can progress to vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of co-ordination. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, take your pet out of the car immediately and into an air-conditioned area while you get help to call the closest veterinarian.

If at home, wet the pet down with a garden hose (starting at the feet) or immerse it in a tub of cool (NOT cold) water for 2 minutes to lower the body temperature gradually. Place the dog in front of a fan or apply cool towels to its chest, paws and groin and stomach area. Do NOT further shock him with ice cubes or COLD water. If you are away from home, grab the flask of water you always carry in your car and yell for someone to bring more water or even a cold soft drink.

IF YOU SEE A DISTRESSED DOG IN A CAR

If no one is around, have the owner paged in the nearest buildings. If there is no response or if help doesn’t arrive immediately, call the police. DO NOT LEAVE THE SITUATION. If authorities are unresponsive or slow and the dog’s life appears to be in danger, find several witnesses who will back up your assessment and take steps to remove the suffering animal from the car.

This may entail entering the car without authorization, even breaking a window. Get bystanders to help while you wait for authorities and to begin to apply first aid by fanning the dog and getting it into air-conditioning. Offer small amounts of cold water or even a soft-drink – the sugar might even help.

TRIP AND TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS

Summer is a favorite time to take road trips with your dog. Make sure he has a collar with your contact information.

Statistics show 65% of people are distracted while driving with their dog i.e. looking back to see what the dog is doing or to prevent the dog from climbing into the front seat. This often means an instant’s loss of steering control, slamming the brakes, or hitting something...

At 30 mph your 10 pound dog becomes a flying object with 300 pounds of force. At 50 mph, your little dog becomes 833 pounds of force, enough to break a windshield. Imagine what an 80-pound dog can do! The lesson here is to use a canine safety restraint or crate your pet while driving.

Small pets may lay in the back window and obstruct the rear view, others prefer your lap but interesting statistics show some dogs are caught between the driver and the air bag when it is deployed. Some states issue fines up to $1000 for driving with a pet on your lap.

If you have an accident and your dog isn’t restrained, it may jump from the car and get hit by oncoming traffic. If you leave your dog in the car with the motor running, your pet may accidently hit the gear shift and cause a collision. Try explaining that to your insurance adjustor!

Most disastrous is tying your pet to your car bumper while engaging in other activities, then loading up and driving home without releasing your pet. I will leave the rest to your imagination.

Always take water and a leash for your pet even if you don’t plan to be gone long. Always use the leash and do NOT presume all dogs you meet are friendly. Be cautious when allowing others to pet your dog and do NOT use a flex lead in tight places.

Whether traveling or not, be sure your dog is up to date on all shots, especially rabies, as your dog meets other dogs and many small critters in the summer-time. If you will be staying at hotels or motels, be sure to ask if dogs are allowed. Many people find it best to board their dog at an air-conditioned facility while they take a vacation, especially if they have children. Pets are lost when parents are distracted.

Whether taking your dog on vacation or just a short shopping trip, keep in mind all the ways that cars kill dogs! Don’t let it happen to your dog.

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