For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1400053 |
| Date Issued: | Jun 04, 2014 - 1:08pm |
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Animal Services sees increase in "Dog in Hot Vehicle" calls |
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| CONTACT: | |
The temperatures are rising fast and so are the numbers of "Dog in Hot Vehicle" calls received by Washoe County Regional Animal Services.
With temperatures expected to rise into the nineties this weekend, Animal Services wants to remind pet owners that leaving a pet in an enclosed and unattended vehicle with the windows just a few inches down, even for a short time, can be deadly.
"It's early in the summer and we're already seeing a disturbing increase in calls about pets in vehicles," Washoe County Animal Services Director Barry Brode said. "We want to make sure pet owners understand that confining your pet inside a car, even on a mild day, places your pet in a life threatening situation."
Brode said even a short trip can include delays that endanger a pet's safety.
"It takes only a few minutes on a warm day for animals to succumb to heat exhaustion or heat stroke," he said. "Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can easily rise to 20 plus degrees or warmer than outside temperatures in a short time period. Your best bet is to leave your pet at home."
Brode said that when it gets to the point where an animal's well-being is threatened, Animal Control Officers will take the necessary steps, as obligated by the law, to save an endangered animal by removing it from the vehicle. Even if they have to break a window to do it.
"Our goal is to prevent this from happening by getting this important message out to the public now," Brode said.
Nevada Revised Statutes 574.195 is aimed at the prevention of cruelty to animals and makes it illegal for a person to "allow a cat or dog to remain unattended in a parked or standing motor vehicle during a period of extreme heat or cold or in any other manner that endangers the health or safety of the cat or dog."
The law also allows that designated responders "may use any force that is reasonable and necessary under the circumstances to remove from a motor vehicle a cat or dog that is allowed to remain in the motor vehicle in violation of subsection 1."
The public is encouraged to report distressed animals locked in hot cars immediately by contacting Washoe County Regional Animal Services dispatch at (775) 322-3647.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.
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