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E-mail This StoryDespite constant community awareness, the Plano Animal Services reported one death and cited 17 individuals for leaving their animals unattended in their vehicle this summer.
With the peak temperature this summer reaching a scorching 110 degrees, Jamey Cantrell, Plano’s Animal Services manager, said he does not understand why this problem continues to occur.
“This is something that happens more frequently than it should,” Cantrell said. “I don’t understand how people think. It is beyond me.”
Cantrell said in July alone, the one death and 10 of the 17 citations were issued.
“People will normally leave their windows cracked and think this is enough, but it’s not,” Cantrell said. “A dog cools themselves by panting. If it’s that hot and humid, they can’t cool down. Their temperature rises significantly. It’s sad people think their animal is going to be OK.”
According to reports, on July 4, a woman left her Scottish Terrier in her vehicle in direct sunlight for nearly three hours while inside the Denny’s located on U.S. 75.
When police arrived, the dog’s body registered at 115 degrees.
The report stated there was no water in the car.
The individual is currently being held in the Collin County Detention Center facing a felony charge.
“Under city ordinance, you are not to ever leave an animal unattended in a vehicle at any time,” Cantrell said. “You will be cited and the fines are set by a judge. You will face a class c misdemeanor. If the animal dies the police become involved and you can be charged under a state law felony.”
Cantrell stressed leaving your animal unattended anytime of the year is dangerous.
“Even at 80 degrees they are at risk of heat stroke,” Cantrell said. “They don’t sweat like humans do. Heat stroke is a horrible way for an animal to die.”
Debbie New, Animal Services coordinator, said the number of citations have remained steady the past few years.
“This year we did not have as many heat-related deaths from dogs being left in back yards,” New said. “Two years ago we had nine in a matter of a couple weeks.”
She said last year, there were no reports of a death from a animal being left in a vehicle, but there was one close call.
“We rushed the dog to the emergency clinic, and he survived,” New said.
New said she educates pet owners during every pet education class about the dangers of leaving a pet unattended.
“Sometimes the people who do this are the ones who love their animals the most,” New said. “They want to take their pet everywhere they go and they don’t think how deadly it can be.”
For information visit www.plano.gov/animalservices.
Contact Stephanie Flemmons at sflemmons@acnpapers.com
