Sheriff's Office

"Hot Dogs" Keeping Pets Out Of Cars During Hot Summer Months

Confining your dog or cat to the inside of a car, even on a mild day, places a pet in a life- threatening situation.

An alarming increase in "Dog in Hot Vehicle" reports over last spring compelled Washoe County Regional Animal Services to create a summer "Hot Dog" campaign to remind pet owners that leaving a pet in an enclosed vehicle, even for a short time, can be a deadly oversight. Temperatures inside a closed automobile can easily rise to 20 degrees or warmer than outside temperatures which could prove deadly to a pet.

Nevada Revised Statute 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."

In May of 2012, dispatchers received 68 high priority calls for dogs left in an enclosed vehicle during hot temperatures. This is over five times the number reported during May of 2011. So far there have been no pet fatalities as a result of pets being left in hot cars, and Washoe County Regional Animal Services staff would like to keep it that way.

"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," The WCRAS Director said. "Our goal is to prevent this from happening by getting this important message out to the public now."

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A DISTRESSED ANIMAL LOCKED IN A HOT CAR:

Call Washoe County Regional Animal Services Dispatch Immediately at:

322-3647

The dispatch phone is answered from 7am to 10pm 7 days a week (including holidays)

For after-hour emergencies, please call 911

Hot Dog.pdf

Hot Dog Poster.pdf