Extreme Heat On The Way Poses Danger For Pets

BEVERLY, MA — As temperatures soar into the 90s on Friday, and stay warm throughout the July 4 holiday weekend, animal control officers in Massachusetts are urging residents to look for signs of possible heat stroke in their pets and to leave them home when going for car rides.

Beverly Animal Control reminded that it is never OK to leave animals in a hot vehicle unattended for any length of time. Even leaving the car running with the air conditioning running poses a danger since air conditioners can malfunction and lead to potentially fatal conditions.

Pet owners are also advised to take short walks since the pavement can heat up and cause serious injuries to paws.

"If the pavement is too hot for your bare feet it is too hot for theirs," Beverly AC said.

Signs of heatstroke in animals include excessive panting, excessive drooling, redness of gums, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of consciousness, uncoordinated movement, suddenly collapsing and unresponsiveness.

Short-muzzled dogs are much more susceptive to heat stroke.

Pets should be provided shelter to escape the sun and have plenty of water. Massachusetts law allows for animal cruelty penalties when owners leave animals unattended in extreme environmental elements, such as high heat, for long periods of time.

"Please take care of and look after your pets and as always your neighbors," Beverly Animal Control said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)