With temperatures expected to reach at least 97 degrees and the heat index forecast to be even higher on Sunday afternoon when races are scheduled to run, PETA sent an urgent letter this morning calling on Lone Star Park stewards to suspend all races on August 9—and every subsequent day with high temperatures.

“Horses are pushed to the limit every time they race, and the additional stress of skyrocketing temperatures can cause brain damage, collapse as a result of heatstroke, and fatal cardiac trauma,” says PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo. “PETA is calling on Lone Star Park officials to prevent tragedy by suspending racing tomorrow and whenever Texas faces extreme heat.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org. I can be reached at 954-464-6553 or DavidP@peta.org if you have any questions.

PETA’s letter to the Lone Star Park stewards follows.

August 7, 2020

Re High Temperatures at Lone Star Park

Dear Stewards,

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and its more than 6.5 million members and supporters worldwide to urge you to protect horses by suspending racing at Lone Star Park during the current high temperatures.

Temperatures are expected to reach at least 97 degrees and the heat index is forecast to be even higher in Grand Prairie, Texas, on Sunday afternoon when races are scheduled to run. Horses are pushed to the limit every time they race, and the additional stress of skyrocketing temperatures can cause brain damage, collapse as a result of heatstroke, and fatal cardiac trauma. Extra caution should be taken if horses are racing on Lasix, a diuretic, which can cause dehydration and compounds the risks of racing in extreme heat. There are many examples of horses experiencing breakdowns or collapsing because of heat, including Merciless Cat, who experienced a catastrophic breakdown after his aorta burst when the temperature at the track was over 100 degrees—footage is available here (2:25).

To protect the health of horses and jockeys, tracks across the country have previously postponed races when high temperatures or heat indexes were expected, including last summer when Monmouth Park made the responsible decision to postpone the starting time of the Haskell Invitational. Many other tracks, including Saratoga, Woodbine, Belterra Park, Ellis Park, Laurel Park, and Parx Racing, have canceled races when dangerous temperatures were forecast.

An average of three horses die in racing every day, and extreme heat can easily add to this death toll. By suspending racing until temperatures cool, racetracks can help forestall further heat-related deaths. Please take immediate action to protect horses in Texas.

Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Kathy Guillermo

Senior Vice President

Equine Matters Department

The post Heat Prompts Call to Suspend Races at Lone Star Park appeared first on PETA.

With the fearmongering TV event Shark Week just around the corner, PETA has placed a billboard near the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, where the movie Jaws was filmed, that gives people food for thought about who is really the biggest threat to lives.

“The most dangerous predators in the water aren’t sharks—they’re the humans who catch, kill, and consume trillions of marine animals every year,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA’s billboard urges people to make the oceans a little safer for all living beings by leaving animals in peace—and in one piece—and going vegan.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that numerous studies have confirmed that fish have unique personalities, can recognize human faces, and can retain memories and think ahead. But because of human prejudice—and even though more fish are killed for food each year than all other animals combined—they have virtually no legal protection from abuse. They slowly suffocate or are crushed to death when they’re dragged out of the ocean in huge nets, and the throats and abdomens of those who survive are cut open on the decks of fishing boats.

PETA opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. The group offers free vegan starter kits and encourages everyone to try healthy, humane vegan meals such as Gardein’s delicious Golden Fishless Filets.

The ad is located at 622 Acushnet Ave. in New Bedford, just a mile from the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.

The post New Ad Near ‘Jaws’ Film Location Says Humans Are the Real Predators appeared first on PETA.

The post ‘No Justification’: PETA Veterinarian Condemns Monkey Fright Tests appeared first on PETA.

The number of dogs and other animal companions who reportedly died from heat-related causes in 2018:

60

Download this poster

Every year, PETA receives reports about dogs, cats, and other animals who have died after being left in hot cars or outside during the hot weather. In 2018 alone, sixty animals endured heat–related deaths and another 93 were rescued from the heat—and those are just the ones that were reported. Most almost certainly aren’t.

The following list is a compilation of heat-related animal companion deaths reported in 2018:

Date of Death	Location	Number of Dogs or Other Animals Who Died	Notes
10/2/2018	Newnan, Georgia	1	A man tied his dog up outside while he went to a coffee shop. The animal died in the heat.
9/15/2018	Murfreesboro, Tennessee	1	A dog who was tied up outside in the heat with no food or water died.
9/15/2018	Phoenix, Arizona	1	A dog who had been left by a man outside without shade or water died.
8/19–25/2018	Fredericksburg, Texas	3	Three dogs died of heatstroke in one week at a park.
8/20/2018	Georgetown, Texas	1	A woman left her dog in her car after she went to work. The animal was taken to a vet but had to be euthanized after suffering from heatstroke.
8/5/2018	Shorewood, Illinois	1	Two dogs were left inside a hot car in a parking lot. One of them didn’t survive.
Aug-18	Toronto, Canada	1	A dog walker left a dog named Teddy inside a car on a hot day. He later died.
7/29/2018	Hancock County, West Virginia	1	A K9 was left inside a car with the air conditioning on, but then the vehicle shut off and he died.
7/28/2018	Columbia, South Carolina	1	A K9 named Turbo sustained heat-related injuries. Two days later, he died as a result.
7/23/2018	Victoria, British Columbia, Canada	1	A dog who was left inside a hot car for seven hours was found dead by her owner. It was 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) that day.
7/20/2018	Las Vegas, Nevada	1	A woman left her two dogs with a man who said that he’d look after them. He left the dogs in his van for 90 minutes while he was meeting with a client, and one of them died. When the dog arrived at a veterinary office, his temperature was 107 degrees.
7/18/2018	Great Barrington, Massachusetts	2	A woman left two dogs in a car on a hot day, possibly for as long as 11 hours. She brought her unresponsive French bulldog to a vet, who examined the dog and told police that the animal had been dead for four to six hours. Vet staff said that the woman had told them she had a second dog who also died, but she wouldn’t say where that animal was.
7/13/2018	Pauls Valley, Oklahoma	1	A woman’s canine companion fell asleep in the back seat of her vehicle. She left, unknowingly leaving the dog inside. When she returned later, she discovered that the animal had died.
7/11/2018	Durham, North Carolina	1	A police officer left his K9, Max, in the car after doing training exercises with him. The vehicle had safety measures to prevent the dog from overheating, but they failed. Max died.
7/11/2018	Morgantown, West Virginia	1	Hospital security discovered a dog in a hot car in the parking lot but claimed that the animal did not appear to be in distress. So police weren’t alerted. The dog was later discovered dead.
7/10/2018	Brockton, Massachusetts	1	A dog who was put inside a carrier and then left outside a humane society died.
7/8/2018	Omaha, Nebraska	1	A dog was put inside a plastic crate and then left in a car for three hours. Even with the air conditioning on, the animal died.
7/6/2018	Huron Charter Township, Michigan	1	A dog was left in a hot car overnight and died.
7/4/2018	Trussville, Alabama	1	A dog was left inside a hot car for seven hours. He was rescued but later died.
7/4/2018	Ashland, Massachusetts	1	A dog was left inside a hot car while his owner assaulted a group of people. The animal died.
7/3/2018	Long Island, New York	3	Six dogs were locked inside cages in a car for more than 11 hours. Three of them died.
7/3/2018	Juneau, Alaska	1	A dog was left inside a hot car and died.
7/2/2018	Cumberland County, Pennsylvania	1	A dog was found dead outside his house in excessive heat.
Jul-18	Indio, California	1	A woman left for work and forgot to let her dog back indoors. The animal died in the heat.
Jul-18	Hinds County, Mississippi	1	A K9 was left inside a running car while his handler went to eat, but the vehicle shut off and the dog died.
7/1/2018	Toms River, New Jersey	1	A dog was left outside on a fire escape in 99-degree heat. Neighbors found her unconscious. Police rushed her to the vet, but she died.
6/30/2018	Toledo, Ohio	1	A pit bull died of heatstroke after being left tied to a tree in the heat with no shelter or water.
6/30/2018	Valparaiso, Indiana	1	A dog was left outside in the heat with no shade and died.
6/29/2018	Niles, Ohio	1	A dog was left chained outside and died in the heat.
6/26/2018	Detroit, Michigan	1	A dog named Vito was left inside a car that initially was running while his handlers went to get a different vehicle. While they were gone (for about 40 minutes), the car shut off and the dog suffered from heatstroke. He died the next day from cardiac arrest.
6/22/2018	Wilmington, North Carolina	1	A man who died of an overdose was found inside his truck with his deceased dog next to him. Police believe the animal died from heat exposure.
6/22/2018	Phoenix, Arizona	1	A dog who was left chained outside died from the heat.
6/21/2018	Sebastian, Florida	1	A man went inside a bar for approximately 3.5 hours, leaving his dog inside his car. Patrons who learned of the animal’s plight took the dog into an air-conditioned restroom, but the animal later died. The man was charged.
6/21/2018	Chattanooga, Tennessee	1	A family from Florida claimed that they had left their dog in a car for “only” 20 minutes. The animal died of heatstroke.
6/19/2018	Danville, Virginia	1	A pit bull who had a 107-degree temperature after being left in the sun was taken to a vet. He later died of heatstroke.
6/16/2018	Lexington, Kentucky	1	A dog left at a boarding facility died from heatstroke.
6/16/2018	Kansas City, Missouri	1	A dog who had been forgotten outside a boarding facility was unable to find shade and died.
6/13/2018	Geneva, New York	1	A man left his dog inside a 110-degree car. The animal died from heat exposure, and the man was charged with felony aggravated cruelty to an animal.
6/8/2018	Panama City, Florida	2	A man left three dogs in a hot van while he went out to drink. Two of them died.
6/5/2018	Bossier City, Louisiana	3	A woman went to a doctor’s appointment, leaving her three dogs inside her car. They died of heat exhaustion.
6/4/2018	Tyler, Texas	1	A kitten left inside a hot car died.
5/29/2018	Des Moines, Iowa	1	A dog was left outside for hours. By the time police arrived, the animal was dead.
5/27/2018	Hutchinson, Kansas	1	A resident called 911 about a dog who was roaming around the neighborhood. The dog was then put in an animal control van and forgotten over the Memorial Day weekend. The animal was later discovered dead, probably from heatstroke.
5/23/2018	Gwinnett County, Georgia	1	A dog who had been left by a woman inside a car for five hours died.
5/22/2018	Ellisville, Missouri	1	Thirteen dogs were found locked inside a hot car. One of them died.
5/11/2018	Camden County, Georgia	1	A dog was left inside a car in 91-degree heat while his owner went to get a shot at the hospital. A passerby called 911 after she saw the animal. The dog was rescued from the car, but it was too late—the pup didn’t survive.
4/11/2018	Albuquerque, New Mexico	6	At 9:30 a.m., a woman left six dogs inside a car. Police arrived at 4 p.m. to find them all dead.

The following list is a compilation of heat-related animal companion rescues reported in 2018:

Date	Location	Rescue Details	Number of Dogs or Other Animals Rescued	Notes
9/28/2018	Merritt Island, Florida	A couple who was walking through a Walmart parking lot spotted a puppy who’d been left inside a hot car. They had a store employee call 911 and then went back to the vehicle and freed the animal. They later adopted her.	1
9/15/2018	Ottawa, Ontario	Multiple good Samaritans called authorities after spotting various companion animals left in hot cars.	8	On an unseasonably warm Saturday, police received eight calls about companion animals who had been left in vehicles.
9/5/2018	St. Louis, Missouri	A dog was locked inside a hot car for at least two hours.	1	The Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force and the St. Louis Fire Department rescued the dog.
9/5/2018	Liberty, Ohio	Officers discovered a black dog inside a locked Jeep parked on the roadway with no license plate.	1	The Jeep’s windows were open about 2 inches. The dog had no food or water and was panting heavily. Police were unsure who owned the car and were unable to file charges.
9/3/2018	Secaucus, New Jersey	Customers at a retail store called police after spotting a dog trapped inside a hot car.	1	It was 90 degrees outside. The dog was crying and panting, the windows were rolled all the way up, and there was no water in the vehicle. The owner was arrested, issued a summons, and then released. Animal control took the dog into custody.
8/31/2018	Michigan City, Indiana	A passerby noticed a dog in a hot car and called animal control.	1	The dog was reportedly inside the vehicle for more than an hour. Upon arriving, the officer met the good Samaritan and noticed that the animal was panting and had little ventilation inside the car, which was parked in direct sunlight. The windows were open about half an inch. Animal control received permission from police to force entry into the vehicle. The owner was cited for neglect.
8/30/2018	Sagamore Hills Township, Ohio	A passerby noticed a puppy inside a locked vehicle and called police.	1	The puppy was left inside a cage under a blanket in a vehicle during 90-degree heat. The animal’s owner was cited, and the dog was removed from the person’s custody.
8/29/2018	Vaughan, Ontario	Police received a call about a dog in a parked car.	1	Police sent out a tweet criticizing someone for leaving a dog in a parked car. A heat warning was in effect.
8/29/2018	Norwalk, Connecticut	A passerby saw a dog in a hot vehicle and called police.	1	The dog was panting heavily when animal control arrived. Right before a window was going to be broken, the dog’s owner returned from a store, claiming to have been gone for only a few minutes. The interior of the car was later determined to have been 104 degrees, and the dog was trapped inside for nearly 30 minutes before being rescued. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals.
8/29/2018	Annandale, Virginia	A witness reported that a dog was alone in the back of a pickup truck without water.	1	The dog was exposed to full sunlight, and a heat advisory was in effect. The county’s Animal Protection Police watched the animal for more than an hour and then police took the dog into custody. The owner was issued a summons for cruelty to animals.
8/28/2018	Springfield, Massachusetts	A witness noticed a dog trapped inside a hot car and called police.	1	The outside temperature at the time was 90 degrees. The dog had been left in the car for about 45 minutes.
8/27/2018	Hunter, New York	Police responded to a call from someone who saw a dog in a truck and said that the animal was in distress. The dog was in direct sunlight with no access to fresh air.	1	The dog was in the truck for at least an hour. A man was ticketed for confinement of an animal to a hot vehicle under the state’s Agriculture and Markets Law.
8/27/2018	Canton, Ohio	A visitor to a hospital noticed a dog alone in a car and called security.	1	The dog’s core body temperature registered at 110 degrees. The animal remained unconscious for about 36 hours but later recovered. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals.
8/24/2018	Oakton, Virginia	Security guards at a high school discovered a dog inside a parked truck.	1	The dog’s owner was issued a summons for inadequate care of an animal.
8/22/2018	Wareham, Massachusetts	A passerby called police about 40 minutes after spotting two dogs trapped inside an SUV.	2	The windows of the SUV were open about 2 inches. The surface temperature of the dogs registered between 100 and 101 degrees. The animals’ owner was cited.
8/21/2018	Sacramento, California	The fire department freed a dog trapped inside a hot car.	1	The temperature in the car reached 114 degrees. The dog’s owner said that the window was rolled down.
8/21/2018	Marysville, Washington	After discovering a dog locked inside a van on a hot summer day, police took to Twitter asking, “Is this your dog? Is this your window?”	1	The interior temperature of the van was 103 degrees. Officers waited 90 minutes for someone to return before breaking a window to rescue the dog.
8/14/2018	Norfolk, Virginia	A passerby spotted a dog in a hot car and called local animal control.	1	The windows of the car were slightly open, and firefighters were able to open a door and get the dog out. The interior of the car was 120 degrees.
8/14/2018	Williamsburg, Virginia	Police rescued a dog from a hot car in the middle of a sweltering day.	1	A teen was taken to a juvenile detention facility and charged with cruelty to an animal.
8/9/2018	Macon, Georgia	A passerby noticed puppies in a hot car and called animal control.	6	Several of the puppies were unconscious from heat exhaustion. They were panting, dehydrated, and in desperate need of emergency care.
8/9/2018	Orlando, Florida	A man wanted in connection with multiple burglaries left a dog inside a vehicle for 15 hours.	1	The dog was rescued a day after deputies first noticed the animal in the unlocked car.
8/3/2018	Hamilton, Ontario	A good Samaritan called police after spotting a large dog inside a car, panting heavily and showing signs of distress.	1	The dog was given water through a slightly open window. The owner returned from a nearby store and faced charges under the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
8/1/2018	Pensacola, Florida	A passerby spotted a dog inside a hot car and called police.	1	The car’s windows were slightly open, and a group of people were squirting water onto the dog. The owners said that they left to shower and get the dog water, although neither of them had water with them. Animal control took the dog into custody.
7/31/2018	Las Vegas, Nevada	A woman noticed two dogs in a hot car, called police, and took a video of the incident.	2	The dogs were panting and had no water. One window was slightly open, but the outside temperature was 103 degrees. The police waited an hour and a half before calling animal control to free the dogs from the car.
7/13/2018	Niagara Falls, New York	A puppy was left in a hot car.	1	Temperatures were high, and the puppy was lying on the floor of the car, panting heavily. The animal’s owner was charged.
7/12/2018	Sandy Springs, Georgia	A passerby contacted police after noticing a dog in a van on a hot day.	1	The outside temperature was 95 degrees, and the dog was in the van for at least two hours. Animal control broke into the vehicle and rescued the animal. The owner was cited.
7/12/2018	Fairfield, Ohio	A passerby noticed a dog in a hot car and manipulated the car window to get her out.	1	No charges were filed. The owners were upset that someone “had” their dog and claimed that they’d left a window slightly open and given the animal some water.
7/8/2018	Auburn, Maine	A dog was left inside a hot car parked outside a Walmart overnight after the owner was arrested. The animal was eventually spotted by a passerby and rescued by police.	1
7/5/2018	Halifax, Nova Scotia	Bystanders called police after they heard a dog whimpering in a hot car.	1	The animal was in a small travel carrier, which had little ventilation. The dog’s owner was fined $700.
7/5/2018	Bay Roberts, Newfoundland	A concerned citizen called police to report that a dog had been inside a vehicle for 20 to 30 minutes. The windows were slightly open, but there was little airflow and no water for the animal.	1	The dog’s owner was ticketed under the Animal Health and Protection Act.
7/5/2018	Victoria, British Columbia	Two dogs were trapped inside a hot vehicle, both in great distress. One had defecated in the car. Animal control determined that it was 100 degrees in the vehicle.	2	The dogs’ owner was fined.
7/5/2018	Townshend, Vermont	A good Samaritan called police to report that a dog had been left in a car with all the windows rolled up on a hot day.	1	The dog was rescued, and police discovered that the vehicle had been stolen.
7/4/2018	Manchester, Connecticut	Two passersby called police after noticing a dog in a car with the windows rolled up.	1	Officers were able to open the door and rescue the dog, who was panting heavily and threw up in the back of the police cruiser. The animal’s owner was arrested and released on $2,500 bond.
7/2/2018	Chatham-Kent, Ontario	A dog was left unattended in a hot car.	1	The dog’s owner was fined C$365.
6/30/2018	Toledo, Ohio	Two dogs were found tied up outside in the heat without shelter. One survived, but the other did not.	1
6/27/2018	Lincoln, Nebraska	A dog was left inside a hot car parked outside a Walmart. The animal was spotted by a passerby and let out of the vehicle but ran away before animal control arrived. The heat index was 105 degrees.	1
6/26/2018	Nye County, Nevada	In separate incidents, two dogs were left inside hot cars parked outside a Walmart. Their owners were not cited.	2
6/12/2018	Las Vegas, Nevada	A man at a gym saw a dog in a car and logged onto Facebook Live to vent and ask his friends for advice. He called police twice and finally broke the car window after waiting for about 20 minutes.	1	The owner eventually came out of the gym but drove off with the dog before police showed up.
6/11/2018	Wichita, Kansas	Police broke a car window to free a dog who had been trapped inside for more than an hour.	1	The dog’s owner was charged with misdemeanor animal negligence.
6/8/2018	Colorado Springs, Colorado	A good Samaritan called the fire department after spotting a dog in a hot car.	1	The driver returned to the vehicle as firefighters arrived. The driver was issued a warning.
6/6/2018	Orange County, California	A passerby noticed a pig locked inside a car on a hot day.	1	The pig’s owner was located, and the animal was rescued from the hot vehicle.
6/2/2018	Omaha, Nebraska	A passerby called police after spotting a dog and two young boys in a hot car.	1	A man left his 4- and 5-year-old sons alone in a car with their dog for more than six hours while he went into a bar and left to be with a woman he had met there. The local humane society was called to take the dog.
5/31/2018	Glasgow, Kentucky	After a good Samaritan called police, officers used a mechanical device to free three dogs from a vehicle.	3	The internal temperature of the vehicle was 114 degrees. Police said that the dogs were panting and did not have access to water. The owners were cited for cruelty to animals.
5/28/2018	Brooklyn, New York	A passerby saw two dogs in a car and called 911. Police administered oxygen before rushing them to a local animal hospital.	2	The owner said that he had gotten drunk and forgot about the dogs. He was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, neglect of an impounded animal, and leaving an animal in a vehicle in extreme heat.
5/26/2018	Vestal, New York	A dog was left in a car parked outside a Walmart when it was 88 degrees outside. Police didn’t file charges, claiming that there was enough air for the animal since the sunroof was open.	1
5/26/2018	Oxford, Ohio	A passerby noticed a dog trapped inside a car on a hot day.	1	The woman who spotted the dog was able to reach her arm through an open car window and unlock the vehicle, and the animal was turned over to animal control officers. The owner said that she had forgotten that the dog was in the car. She was charged with cruelty to an animal.
5/25/2018	Xenia, Ohio	A passerby called 911 after noticing a dog in a car.	1	The windows were rolled up, and the temperature in the vehicle had reached 105 degrees. The dog’s owner was given a warning.
5/22/2018	Ellisville, Missouri	Nearby employees noticed 12 dogs in a car and called police. The employees got the animals out and poured water on them to help cool them off before police arrived.	12	A couple is facing cruelty charges. All the dogs showed signs of brain damage.
5/19/2018	Navarre, Florida	Neighbors spotted a dog panting and shaking uncontrollably inside a car and called police.	1	A man is facing cruelty-to-animals charges after he left his dog in a car while he went for a swim at a beach.
5/14/2018	Escambia County, Florida	A deputy broke a car window to help a puppy in need.	1	The dog’s owner was arrested. The puppy was squealing, panting heavily, and in distress. The outside temperature was reportedly 92 degrees.
5/14/2018	Medford, Oregon	A speeding driver was pulled over, and 10 puppies were discovered in the car’s hot trunk.	10	The puppies were panting heavily and didn’t have access to water or fresh air. The day reached a record temperature of 88 degrees.
5/8/2018	Santa Clarita, California	A police officer broke a car window to save a dog who was trapped inside a vehicle parked outside a Walmart. It was 90 degrees outside.	1
5/7/2018	Sterling, Virginia	Police and animal services staff were able to get into a car to access a dog in need of help.	1	The temperature inside the car was 127 degrees. The dog’s owner was reportedly shopping.
4/23/2018	Fresno, California	A good Samaritan broke a truck’s window with a brick in order to rescue a dog in need.	1	The dog’s owner was arrested on felony cruelty-to-animals charges.

No animal should endure a heat-related death. It’s inexcusable.

As guardians, we must take these vital steps in order to protect our beloved family members:

1. Keep dogs and cats indoors.

Unlike humans, dogs can sweat only through their footpads and cool themselves by panting, which makes it extra hard for them to beat the heat. Being left outside in hot weather can cause heat stress, injury, or death.

2. Never leave your dog—or any other animal—in a hot car.

It’s like being baked alive. Heatstroke can happen in just minutes, even with the car’s windows partially rolled down. And opening a window slightly won’t help—parking in the shade or leaving water in the vehicle won’t prevent your dog from overheating, either.

3. If you see a dog in a hot car …

… call 911 immediately. While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, write down the car’s make, model, and license plate number, or take a picture of the vehicle and go to the nearest building to find a manager and ask that the owner of the car be paged. If authorities are unresponsive or too slow to respond and the animal’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness who will back up your assessment before carefully removing the animal from the car and carrying him or her into the shade. PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for help with intervening in these life-or-death situations. Don’t leave until the authorities arrive on the scene and you know that the dog is safe. Learn more about what to do if you see a dog in a hot car.

4. Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke, and take action if you see them.

Heatstroke is a potentially fatal emergency. Symptoms include restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy, and lack of appetite or coordination. If a dog is exhibiting these signs, attempt to lower the body temperature by providing the animal with water and applying a cold towel to the head and chest. If someone is with you, one of you should take these steps in the car as the other drives the dog to a veterinarian.

5. Be mindful when walking a dog in hot weather.

On a hot day, the pavement on sidewalks can reach temperatures between 130 and 180 degrees, which is hot enough to hurt your dog’s feet and even seriously burn them. Here are some helpful tips when walking your companion in the heat:

• Always test the pavement with the palm of your hand before setting out—if it feels hot, it’s too hot for Spot.
• Walk early in the morning or late in the evening, when it’s cooler.
• Choose shady routes.
• Carry water, and take frequent breaks.
• Never make dogs wear muzzles or halters that restrict their breathing.
• Opt for a lightweight fabric collar or a nifty Swamp Cooler vest.
• Walk—don’t run. Dogs will run to the point of collapse just to please you. At that point, it may be too late to save them.

Together, we can help drastically reduce the number of dogs and other animal companions who die in hot weather and even eliminate these tragedies altogether. Animals are counting on us—as their guardians and as good Samaritans—to keep them safe. We mustn’t let them down.

Take Action Now

The Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats (HOT CARS) Act of 2017 aims to minimize the number of children and animals who die in hot cars every year by requiring that automakers equip all vehicles with technology that alerts drivers when a passenger remains in the backseat after the engine has been turned off. Sadly, since the bill was introduced, more deaths have occurred—and there will certainly be more in the months ahead. But we can prevent tragedies like these. Click below to help:

Make sure that all your friends and family know the potentially lifesaving hot weather tips above.

Watch this video, listen to this radio clip, and check out this ad to learn more about the reasons why you should never leave a dog in a hot car.

The post 60 Animal Companions Endured Heat-Related Deaths In 2018 … That We Know Of appeared first on PETA.

The number of dogs and other animal companions who reportedly died from heat-related causes in 2019:

53

Download this poster

Every year, PETA receives reports about dogs, cats, and other animals who have died after being left in hot cars or outside during the hot weather. In 2019 alone, fifty-three animals endured heat–related deaths and another 125 were rescued from the heat—and those are just the ones that were reported. Most almost certainly aren’t.

The following list is a compilation of heat-related animal companion deaths reported in 2019:

Date of Death	Location	Number of Dogs or Other Animals Who Died	Notes
12/30/2019	Clearwater, Florida	1	A man left his dog and cat in his car when he went to work at a hospital. He left the vehicle running with the air conditioning on, but when he returned about five hours later, the dog was dead. Hospital security reported this incident to police, who arrested the man. Animal control took the cat, who was severely dehydrated.
9/19/2019	Minneapolis, Minnesota	2	Two dogs who’d been taken to a park by The Urban Dog, a dog-walking service, were left in a hot van for three hours after their caretaker got distracted. Both dogs were dead when she went back to the vehicle for them. Their guardian filed a police report.
9/4/2019	Vicksburg, Mississippi	1	A police dog was found in distress inside a hot patrol car after the vehicle, which had apparently been left running, reportedly malfunctioned and shut off. He was rushed to a veterinarian but died later that day.
8/31/2019	Pasadena, California	1	A puppy was left in a hot van when an animal shelter was transporting him to a veterinarian to be neutered. He stayed at the vet’s office overnight but died the next morning.
8/22/2019	Pensacola, Florida	1	A dog died after being left in a hot car parked outside a Walmart store while the owner was shopping for about three hours. The woman was charged with cruelty to animals.
8/11/2019	Kenosha, Wisconsin	1	A man who was caring for his friend’s dog was driving with the animal when his car ran out of gas or broke down. He went to get help, leaving the dog inside, and never returned. When police stopped to check out the vehicle, they found the dog dead inside from apparent heatstroke.
8/6/2019	Westminster, Colorado	1	A dog died after being left in a hot car while the owner ate at a restaurant.
8/5/2019	Portsmouth, Rhode Island	1	After running errands with their dog, a family forgot the animal in the car. Three hours later, they found the dog dead from the heat.
8/4/2019	Long Beach, California	1	A K9 named Ozzy was found dead inside his handler’s hot patrol car. The investigation is ongoing.
8/3/2019	Wichita, Kansas	1	Two dogs were left in a hot car outside a business. Police found one dead, and the other was rushed to a veterinarian.
7/28/2019	St. Landry Parish, Louisana	1	A dog who was left inside a hot car around 5:30 a.m. was found dead by his owner when he returned to his car around 12 noon.
7/23/2019	Fort Worth, Texas	3	Three dogs died after being left inside a hot car while under the care of a dog trainer. Authorities were investigating.
7/23/19	South New Berlin, New York	1	A dog died after being left chained outside during a heatwave. A good Samaritan called police and asked if he could go help the animal but was reportedly told no, that he’d be trespassing. The dog was dead by the time police arrived. A woman was charged with cruelty to animals.
7/21/2019	Jamestown, Rhode Island	3	Three dogs were found dead after being left inside a hot car outside McQuade’s Marketplace. Authorities tried in vain to revive them.
7/20/2019	Cobb County, Georgia	1	A dog died after being left inside a hot car for four hours in a Target parking lot.
7/18/2019	Milford, Delaware	1	An owner was charged with cruelty to animals after her dog died of heatstroke. Animal control officers found the dog, who’d been tethered outdoors for several hours with no shade or water.
7/17/2019	Omaha, Nebraska	5	According to the Nebraska Humane Society, five dogs have died this summer after being left outside in the heat.
7/15/2019	Ross County, Ohio	2	The Ross County Humane Society reported that two dogs had died in the past three days of heatstroke. They had been left outside.
7/14/2019	Brookings, South Dakota	1	Police responding to a call about a dog who had been left in a hot car found the animal dead.
7/11/2019	Green Bay, Wisconsin	1	A passerby called police after spotting a dog who appeared to be lifeless in a hot car outside Packers Pro Shop. Officers arrived just after the dog’s owner returned to her car and found the animal dead inside. Police were reportedly investigating.
7/10/2019	Aurora, Illinois	1	A dog died after being chained outside during high temperatures without water or shade. Another dog on the property was confined to a pen with a tarp covering it and had no food or water. The owner was charged with felony cruelty to animals, but the second dog wasn’t seized.
7/8/2019	Baton Rouge, Louisiana	1	A dog died after being left inside a hot truck that had been stolen from his guardian and abandoned. The vehicle was initially parked in front of Pelican Donuts, and it’s unclear where it was later found. A suspect has been charged.
7/4/2019	Rifle, Colorado	1	A good Samaritan called authorities when she spotted a dead dog inside a hot car parked in a residential area. The dog’s owner reportedly told police that she had been visiting a friend for an hour and 45 minutes and had left the car running with the air conditioning on. It wasn’t known whether the woman would face charges.
7/2/2019	Raleigh, North Carolina	1	A man left his dog outside in extreme heat with no access to food, water, or shelter. Police found her dead from heatstroke.
7/2/2019	Hialeah, Florida	1	Two men stole a car in Arcadia, Florida, that had a dog in it. The owner had reportedly left the vehicle running with the air conditioning on while shopping. The car was found in Hialeah with the dog, who had reportedly died of heat exhaustion, inside.
7/2/2019	Orlando, Florida	2	A woman left three puppies inside a hot car while she was staying at a hotel. Good Samaritans spotted them and called 911. While waiting for police to arrive, the people were able to get two puppies out, but one of them was already dead. Another died shortly afterward. The third is expected to be OK.
6/27/2019	Indianapolis, Indiana	1	A neighbor called animal control and other authorities several times after seeing a dog being continuously chained up outside in the heat with no access to shade. The animal died before officers showed up the following day.
6/26/2019	Tallahassee, Florida	1	Police discovered a dead dog inside a hot car. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals.
6/26/2019	Tampa, Florida	1	Police responded to a call about a dog left inside a crate on a porch. When officers arrived, they discovered that the dog was dead and the temperature inside the crate was 131 degrees. They also found two dogs inside a small utility closet, which registered 126 degrees. Their owner was arrested, and the two surviving dogs were confiscated.
6/25/2019	Wilmington, Delaware	1	Two dogs were discovered inside a hot car. One was muzzled and tethered inside a crate, and the other was dead. Officers seized the surviving dog and arrested the owner.
6/21/2019	Columbia, South Carolina	1	A dead dog was discovered inside a crate in a hot car. The owner was arrested. It was 97 degrees outside.
6/11/2019	Cabell County, West Virginia	7	More than a dozen cats were discovered inside a hot car. A cat and a kitten were already dead, and five more animals died after being taken to a shelter.
6/2/2019	Medford, Oregon	1	A dog was left inside a hot car and died.
4/19/2019	Fresno, California	1	A dog died after being left inside a hot car on a 90-degree day. Police were alerted but weren’t able to save the animal. The car’s location wasn’t reported.
4/7/2019	Cass County, Michigan	2	Three dogs were found inside a hot car outside a casino. They’d apparently been left there for hours. Two didn’t survive.

The following list is a compilation of heat-related animal companion rescues reported in 2019:

Date	Location	Rescue Details	Number of Dogs or Other Animals Rescued	Notes
12/30/2019	Clearwater, Florida	A man left his dog and cat in his car when he went to work at a hospital. He left the vehicle running with the air conditioning on, but when he returned about five hours later, the dog was dead. Hospital security reported this incident to police, who arrested the man. Animal control took the cat, who was severely dehydrated.	1
9/14/2019	Pensacola Beach, Florida	A man left his dog in a hot car parked near the beach. Someone discovered the animal, and police and animal control officers responded. After trying to locate the owner, the police broke into the vehicle and rescued the dog. The man was charged with cruelty to animals.	1
9/12/2019	Reidsville, North Carolina	A woman was about to leave her dog in a hot car outside the Rockingham County Judicial Center when she was warned not to do so by court officials. So she drove away, parked outside a business near the courthouse, and left the animal in the vehicle there. The court officials located her car and called Rockingham County Animal Control, which rescued the dog. The woman was arrested.	1
8/26/2019	Albany, New York	Police rescued a dog from a hot car. It wasn’t clear if the owner was charged.	1
8/23/2019	Freetown, Massachusetts	Outside a construction site, police officers had to break into a hot car to save a dog inside. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals.	1
8/21/2019	Reno, Nevada	Police officers had to rescue a dog who’d been left for nearly an hour in a hot car parked outside a courthouse. It’s unclear whether the owner was charged.	1
8/20/2019	Newark, New Jersey	Police officers rescued a dog who was in a hot car parked outside Newark Airport. The owner was cited with cruelty to animals.	1
8/18/2019	Myrtle Beach, South Carolina	Police rescued a small white poodle from a hot car parked outside Logan’s Roadhouse. The owner was cited for mistreatment of animals.	1
8/15/2019	Monroe, Georgia	An owner was given a verbal warning by police after leaving a dog in a hot car.	1
8/15/2019	Brookhaven, Georgia	An owner was cited for cruelty to animals after leaving a dog in a hot car for at least 10 minutes while shopping in Town Brookhaven.	1
8/13/2019	Morristown, Tennessee	Police responded to a report of a dog left in a hot car parked outside a Hobby Lobby store. When officers arrived and found the animal, they also discovered drugs and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. The owners now face several drug-related charges, but no cruelty-to-animals charges were mentioned in reports. The dog was returned to his or her home.	1
8/12/2019	Jonesboro, Arkansas	Police responded to a call about a dog left in a hot car parked outside St. Bernards Clopton Clinic. An officer found the owner, and the animal was taken into the medical facility. The man was charged with cruelty to animals.	1
8/8/2019	Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada	A police officer rescued a dog from a hot car. It’s unclear what charges, if any, the owner faces.	1
8/7/2019	London, Ontario, Canada	Someone called 911 after spotting a puppy in a hot car reportedly for more than an hour and a half. Police removed the dog from the car and gave him or her water. The owner was issued a summons to appear in court at a later date on a cruelty-to-animals charge.	1
8/6/2019	Glynn County, Georgia	A concerned citizen called the police after seeing a puppy inside a crate that was locked in a hot car parked outside a Walmart store. When an officer arrived, he found the owner and explained to him the dangers of leaving an animal in a hot vehicle. The man refused to listen and was cited for cruelty to animals.	1
8/6/2019	Myrtle Beach, South Carolina	Police had to rescue two dogs who were inside a hot car in the Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort overflow parking lot. The owner was charged with mistreatment of animals.	1
8/6/2019	Lakeside, Colorado	Police officers broke into a hot car outside a Walmart to rescue a dog. The officers began to cool him down, and once animal control officers arrived, they rushed him to a veterinarian. The owner initially fled police but was later charged with eluding police and cruelty to animals.	1
8/4/2019	Huntsville, Alabama	Police officers broke into a hot car outside the Ol’ Heidelberg restaurant to save a dog. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals.	1
8/4/2019	Pooler, Georgia	Police broke into a hot car outside a Walmart store in order to save a dog who had been confined to a crate. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals.	1
8/4/2019	Albuquerque, New Mexico	A man broke a car window outside a Little Anita’s restaurant to save a dog. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals.	1
8/3/2019	Tucson, Arizona	A police officer broke a window of a hot car outside a Walmart store to save a kitten.	1
8/3/2019	Wichita, Kansas	Two dogs were left in a hot car outside a business. Police found one dead, and the other was rushed to a veterinarian.	1
8/1/2019	Pooler, Georgia	A woman was arrested after leaving her dog in a hot car outside a Publix store.	1
8/1/2019	Carrollton, Georgia	A woman was arrested after leaving a dog in a hot car.	1
7/31/2019	Taunton, Massachusetts	Police smashed the window of a car in a municipal parking garage to get to a dog who had been left inside. The owner was not cited.	1
7/30/2019	Ukiah, California	Police officers were called after a dog was spotted panting inside a hot car for 10 minutes. They advised the owner against leaving animals in a car on hot days.	1
7/30/2019	Quincy, Massachusetts	Police had to remove a dog who had been left in a hot car in Quincy Center. The owner was charged.	1
7/30/2019	Melrose, Massachusetts	Police removed a dog from a hot car parked outside MelroseWakefield Hospital and took the animal to a veterinarian. The owner is not expected to be charged.	1
7/29/2019	Bozeman, Montana	A man was cited for leaving his dog in a hot car. The following day, he was cited for punching his dog, who was subsequently confiscated.	1
7/27/2019	Palm Desert, California	A good Samaritan called the police and pulled a dog from a hot car parked outside a Whole Foods. The owner was arrested.	1
7/26/2019	Pooler, Georgia	Two dogs were rescued from hot cars in separate cases, and both owners were charged with cruelty to animals. One car was parked outside a Western Sizzlin restaurant and the other outside Sam’s Club.	2
7/26/2019	Prior Lake, Minnesota	A muzzled puppy was rescued by police after being found “basically dead” inside a hot car outside Rib Fest at Mystic Lake Casino. The dog was taken to a veterinary office, but the owner took the animal back before care was completed. The owner faces multiple charges, and the prognosis for the dog is unclear.	1
7/20/2019	Pooler, Georgia	Three people were arrested in separate cases after leaving dogs in hot cars. One vehicle was outside an Olive Garden restaurant and the other outside a Lowe’s store.	2
7/19/2019	Pooler, Georgia	A man was arrested after leaving a dog inside a cage in the back of a truck outside the Wild Wing Cafe. The outside temperature was 93 degrees.	1
7/19/2019	Murfreesboro, Tennessee	Police were called and ended up breaking into a hot car in a Walmart parking lot to save a dog who was inside. The owners were cited.	1
7/17/2019	Minot, North Dakota	A small dog was left in a hot car outside the North Dakota State Fair. The owner was charged with leaving an animal unattended in a motor vehicle.	1
7/17/2019	Idaho Falls, Idaho	An animal control officer broke into a hot car outside Grand Teton Mall to save a dog. The pup was taken to a veterinary office, and the owner was charged with cruelty to animals.	1
7/17/2019	Duluth, Georgia	After being alerted to a dog inside a hot car outside an LA Fitness gym, firefighters broke into the vehicle and police helped them rescue and cool down the dog. Then, a witness volunteered to drive the animal to an emergency veterinary office. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals. It was 96 degrees outside.	1
7/17/2019	Adams County, Colorado	A woman discovered two kittens who were locked inside a hot U-Haul Moving and Storage unit. She alerted the manager of the facility, who then contacted animal control. Eventually, the manager opened the door, and the cats ran out.	2
7/17/2019	Somerset, Pennsylvania	Police responded to a call about a dog who had been left in a hot car for 45 minutes when it was over 80 degrees outside. The animal was OK, and the owner was cited for cruelty to animals.	1
7/16/2019	Ridge, New York	Two kittens were rescued from a hot car outside the Ronkonkoma train station. The owner was charged.	2
7/16/2019	Boynton Beach, Florida	A dog was found inside a crate that was covered with a tarp and left in a hot backyard. The animal was rescued and taken to get care. The owner relinquished rights to the dog and may face charges of cruelty to animals.	1
7/16/2019	Wareham, Massachusetts	Police rescued two dogs from a hot car in a parking lot. Their owner was fined.	2
7/13/2019	Orange County, Florida	A woman left her puppy inside a hot car for six hours outside a resort. Nearby workers heard the animal whimpering and were able to get him or her out. The woman was arrested.	1
7/11/2019	Loveland, Colorado	Animal control responded to a call about a dog inside a hot truck in a parking lot, and police officers broke the window to get the animal out.	1
7/11/2019	Berkeley Township, New Jersey	A delivery driver spotted a child in a hot car that was parked in a neighborhood and called 911. When officers arrived, they discovered the child and three dogs. They rescued all four, and the child’s grandmother was charged.	3
7/10/2019	Tularosa, New Mexico	A woman called police after she saw a dog inside a hot car. The officer initially wasn’t going to do anything because the windows were rolled down, but after doing some research, he determined that the dog was in danger and cited the owner for cruelty to animals.	1
7/4/2019	Austin, Texas	Police broke a window to save a puppy who had been left inside a hot car outside Bob Wentz Park. It was 91 degrees outside. The owner was charged.	1
7/3/2019	Rock Hill, South Carolina	A man was arrested after allegedly leaving his dog inside a hot car that was parked outside a Walmart store. It was 96 degrees inside the vehicle.	1
7/2/2019	Orlando, Florida	A woman left three puppies inside a hot car while she was staying at a hotel. Good Samaritans spotted them and called 911. While waiting for police to arrive, the people were able to get two puppies out, but one of them was already dead. Another died shortly afterward. The third is expected to be OK.	1
7/2/2019	Richmond, Virginia	Two men called police after they spotted a small dog in a hot car outside The Shops at Willow Lawn. While they waited for officers to arrive, they broke one of the vehicle’s windows and took the puppy out. The owner wasn’t charged.	1
6/30/2019	Wareham, Massachusetts	Officers were called to the parking lot of a Shaw’s supermarket after a passerby spotted a dog inside a hot car. The owner left before police arrived.	1
6/30/2019	Wareham, Massachusetts	An officer was called to the Wareham Crossing shopping center after someone spotted a dog inside a crate in a hot car. The owner was cited.	1
6/29/2019	Wareham, Massachusetts	Police had to break a window of a car in the parking lot of a Shaw’s supermarket to rescue a dog who was inside. The owner was cited.	1
6/29/2019	Louisville, Kentucky	Police broke the window of a car outside the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park in order to save a small dog who was locked inside. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals.	1
6/29/2019	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada	Police broke into a car parked near Vanier Park to save two dogs who were trapped inside. The owner was cited.	2
6/28/2019	Houston, Texas	An emaciated puppy had to be rescued after being left inside a car in an apartment complex parking lot. The dog was confiscated from his owner.	1
6/27/2019	Strafford, Pennsylvania	A woman was arrested after allegedly leaving her dog inside a hot car that was parked outside a Target store. It was more than 90 degrees outside.	1
6/27/2019	Logan, Utah	An animal control officer discovered a dog who had been left inside a hot car while his or her owners were eating at a diner. The officer talked to them about the situation, and “they thought it was a joke.”	1
6/26/2019	Cary, North Carolina	Police officers rescued a dog from a hot car outside a Walmart. The owner was charged with cruelty to animals.	1
6/26/2019	Albuquerque, New Mexico	A woman spotted two dogs inside a hot car outside a Hobby Lobby. The owners returned before she was able to get ahold of authorities.	2
6/26/2019	Tampa, Florida	Police responded to a call about a dog left inside a crate on a porch. When officers arrived, they discovered that the dog was dead and the temperature inside the crate was 131 degrees. They also found two dogs inside a small utility closet, which registered 126 degrees. Their owner was arrested, and the two surviving dogs were confiscated.	2
6/25/2019	Wilmington, Delaware	Two dogs were discovered inside a hot car. One was muzzled and tethered inside a crate, and the other was dead. Officers seized the surviving dog and arrested the owner.	1
6/23/2019	Pooler, Georgia	Police were called to a Moe’s Southwest Grill parking lot after someone spotted a dog inside a hot car. The dog’s owner was arrested.	1
6/22/2019	Lee County, Florida	A woman spotted a “large Chihuahua” inside a hot minivan outside a T.J.Maxx store. She alerted workers, and they found the owner, who was frustrated with the woman and drove off before police arrived.	1
6/21/2019	Palm Beach, Florida	After spotting a dog inside a hot car on a residential street, a man alerted the police. The dog’s owner came out of his father’s house, and police cited him.	1
6/18/2019	Ridgecrest, California	Animal control received a call after a dog was spotted inside a hot truck in a Walmart parking lot. Police were then called. Once the owner was located, the dog was removed from the vehicle, which was 124 degrees. The outdoor temperature was 109.6 degrees. The owner was arrested.	1
6/16/2019	Myrtle Beach, South Carolina	Police responded to a call about a dog left in a hot car outside a restaurant, where the animal’s owners were eating. The temperature inside the vehicle was 109 degrees.	1
6/14/2019	Wilton, Connecticut	An animal control officer was called to a YMCA after someone noticed a dog inside a hot car. The temperature inside the vehicle was 84 degrees.	1
6/11/2019	Myrtle Beach, South Carolina	In two separate cases, police were called because dogs had been left in hot cars. In the first incident, a pit bull was found in a car that was 100 degrees. The animal had been inside for at least 30 minutes. In the second case, two dachshunds had been inside a minivan for 40 minutes. The owners were cited in each case.	3
6/11/2019	Riverside, California	Police officers smashed the window of a hot car to rescue a dog who was stuck inside.	1
6/11/2019	San Bernardino, California	Police smashed the window of a hot car outside the San Bernardino County Courthouse to rescue a dog who was stuck inside.	1
6/10/2019	Medford, Oregon	Police are searching for the man who left two dogs inside a hot car outside a Walmart. Employees let the animals out, but the man took them back and drove off before police arrived.	2
6/8/2019	Santa Clarita, California	A small dog was rescued by police officers after being left inside a hot car parked outside a Walmart.	1
6/8/2019	Corpus Christi, Texas	Police rescued a puppy who had been left inside a hot car at a park.	1
6/6/2019	Elk Grove, California	A dog was rescued by a firefighter after being left inside a hot car.	1
6/5/2019	Panama City Beach, Florida	Police rescued a dog left in a car that had a temperature of 100 degrees inside. The animal’s owner was arrested.	1
6/2/2019	Merrimack, New Hampshire	A dog was rescued by police after being left inside a car that had reached 103 degrees. The vehicle was parked outside an outlet mall.	1
6/2/2019	Medford, Oregon	Police received a call about a dog left inside a hot car, and the animal was rescued.	1
6/2/2019	Hamden, Connecticut	A small dog was left inside a hot car parked outside a Stop&Shop for around 45 minutes. While firefighters worked to free the animal, the owner came out with a full cart of groceries. She was arrested.	1
6/1/2019	Las Vegas, Nevada	An abused puppy was rescued from a hot car and is now receiving veterinary care. She was confiscated from her breeder.	1
6/1/2019	Kennewick, Washington	Police officers rescued a Chihuahua who had been left inside a car that registered a temperature of 113 degrees.	1
5/27/2019	Jacksonville, Florida	A pig was discovered inside a hot car that was parked outside a mall. Reportedly, it was 120 degrees inside the vehicle. Police rescued the animal after a bystander called 911.	1
5/25/2019	Savannah, Georgia	Two owners were cited in separate cases after leaving their dogs in hot cars.	2
5/22/2019	Pensacola, Florida	A dog was left inside a hot car in a parking lot on an 84-degree day. A woman called 911, and police rescued the animal.	1
5/22/2019	Victoria, British Columbia	A dog was left inside a hot car in downtown Victoria. Police and animal control officers rescued the animal.	1
5/21/2019	Glendale, Arizona	A dog was rescued by police officers after being left inside a hot car for at least six hours.	1
5/20/2019	Southington, Connecticut	Police officers rescued a dog from a hot car parked outside a house. The animal had reportedly been in the vehicle for at least an hour.	1
5/16/2019	Avon, Ohio	A woman went into a Walmart and left her small dog inside her car with the windows rolled down an inch. Officers found the animal and cited the woman.	1
5/11/2019	Spartanburg, South Carolina	A woman left her small dog inside her car with the windows rolled up while she spent 20 to 30 minutes in a Walmart. Officers were called, and she was cited.	1
5/7/2019	Chehalis, Washington	A dog was left inside a hot car in a parking lot for around 30 minutes.	1
5/6/2019	Bluffton, South Carolina	A man noticed that a small dog was left inside a hot car at the house next to where he was working. He called police after trying unsuccessfully to contact the dog’s owner. Police were able to find the owner and instructed her to give the dog water. She lost custody of that dog and two others because of their conditions and the condition of the house.	1
5/5/2019	Virginia Beach, Virginia	A woman was cited for leaving her dog in a car during 80-degree weather. The car was parked in a Walmart parking lot. A concerned citizen alerted authorities. They removed the animal, who was at risk because of concerning temperatures inside the vehicle.	1
5/2/2019	Lady Lake, Florida	A dog wearing a furry harness was left in a hot car parked outside a Target. The windows of the vehicle had been rolled down 2 inches. The animal was rescued by police.	1
5/2/2019	Fort Myers, Florida	Three dogs had to be rescued after being left inside a hot car outside a Walmart. It was 105.5 degrees inside the vehicle.	3
4/30/2019	Norfolk, Virginia	A man smashed the window of a car in order to save a dog who was trapped inside the vehicle while the temperature was over 80 degrees outside. The car was parked in a neighborhood near a university.	1
4/28/2019	Pensacola, Florida	A beagle was left inside a hot car parked near the beach. The dog’s owner was arrested.	1
4/27/2019	Moab, Utah	In two separate incidents, police were called about dogs who were left in hot cars. In one, the temperature inside the car, whose location wasn’t reported, was 102 degrees. In the other, the temperature inside the car, which was parked outside a Motel 6, was 93 degrees.	2
4/27/2019	San Antonio, Texas	Two puppies were heard crying inside a hot car parked outside a library. They were found in a foam carrier that was inside a box. Both were rescued.	2
4/19/2019	Montpelier, Vermont	Police officers discovered a calf and a rabbit inside a hot car. They located the owner, and the animals were found to be unharmed. It was around 70 degrees that day.	2
4/7/2019	Cass County, Michigan	Three dogs were found inside a hot car outside a casino. They’d apparently been left there for hours. Two didn’t survive.	1
4/3/2019	Tampa, Florida	Four puppies were rescued from a hot car by the sheriff’s department. It was around 80 degrees outside.	4
3/18/2019	Springfield, Oregon	Police received their first call of the season regarding a dog left inside a hot car.	1

No animal should endure a heat-related death. It’s inexcusable.

As guardians, we must take these vital steps in order to protect our beloved family members:

1. Keep dogs and cats indoors.

Unlike humans, dogs can sweat only through their footpads and cool themselves by panting, which makes it extra hard for them to beat the heat. Being left outside in hot weather can cause heat stress, injury, or death.

2. Never leave your dog—or any other animal—in a hot car.

It’s like being baked alive. Heatstroke can happen in just minutes, even with the car’s windows partially rolled down. And opening a window slightly won’t help—parking in the shade or leaving water in the vehicle won’t prevent your dog from overheating, either.

3. If you see a dog in a hot car …

… call 911 immediately. While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, write down the car’s make, model, and license plate number, or take a picture of the vehicle and go to the nearest building to find a manager and ask that the owner of the car be paged. If authorities are unresponsive or too slow to respond and the animal’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness who will back up your assessment before carefully removing the animal from the car and carrying him or her into the shade. PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for help with intervening in these life-or-death situations. Don’t leave until the authorities arrive on the scene and you know that the dog is safe. Learn more about what to do if you see a dog in a hot car.

4. Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke, and take action if you see them.

Heatstroke is a potentially fatal emergency. Symptoms include restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy, and lack of appetite or coordination. If a dog is exhibiting these signs, attempt to lower the body temperature by providing the animal with water and applying a cold towel to the head and chest. If someone is with you, one of you should take these steps in the car as the other drives the dog to a veterinarian.

5. Be mindful when walking a dog in hot weather.

On a hot day, the pavement on sidewalks can reach temperatures between 130 and 180 degrees, which is hot enough to hurt your dog’s feet and even seriously burn them. Here are some helpful tips when walking your companion in the heat:

• Always test the pavement with the palm of your hand before setting out—if it feels hot, it’s too hot for Spot.
• Walk early in the morning or late in the evening, when it’s cooler.
• Choose shady routes.
• Carry water, and take frequent breaks.
• Never make dogs wear muzzles or halters that restrict their breathing.
• Opt for a lightweight fabric collar or a nifty Swamp Cooler vest.
• Walk—don’t run. Dogs will run to the point of collapse just to please you. At that point, it may be too late to save them.

Together, we can help drastically reduce the number of dogs and other animal companions who die in hot weather and even eliminate these tragedies altogether. Animals are counting on us—as their guardians and as good Samaritans—to keep them safe. We mustn’t let them down.

Take Action Now

The Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats (HOT CARS) Act of 2017 aims to minimize the number of children and animals who die in hot cars every year by requiring that automakers equip all vehicles with technology that alerts drivers when a passenger remains in the backseat after the engine has been turned off. Sadly, since the bill was introduced, more deaths have occurred—and there will certainly be more in the months ahead. But we can prevent tragedies like these. Click below to help:

Make sure that all your friends and family know the potentially lifesaving hot weather tips above.

Watch this video, listen to this radio clip, and check out this ad to learn more about the reasons why you should never leave a dog in a hot car.

The post 53 Animal Companions Endured Heat-Related Deaths In 2019 … That We Know Of appeared first on PETA.