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SALT LAKE CITY — Officials are reminding the public to care for pets in the heat on the heels of animal service providers responding to at least two reports of dehydrated dogs in the last 24 hours.
Wednesday, a neighbor discovered a dog that had been out on a balcony for more than four hours in 90-degree weather.
“It was distressed. It was panting. It was biting on the metal,” neighbor Jordan Dastrup said.
Dastrup spent an hour hosing it down until Salt Lake County Animal Services officials arrived. They used a ladder to enter the aprtment, but by the time they reached the animal, it couldn’t walk, and its body temperature had reached 108 degrees.
According to Salt Lake County Animal Services, a dog can suffer brain damage or die with a temperature of 107 or higher. The dog is now with animal control and being monitored.
"This is listed as animal cruelty. It is a citable offense, starting at a misdemeanor and could range to felony depending on the situation," said Officer Robert Lewis, Field Operations Manager for Salt Lake County Animal Services.
Tuesday, the Salt Lake City Fire Department received a call of two dogs that became dehydrated while on a hike on the Red Butte Gardens trail. One dog died before help could arrive, and the other was revived and carried down the mountain by firefighters.
This is listed as animal cruelty. It is a citable offense, starting at a misdemeanor and could range to felony depending on the situation.
–Officer Robert Lewis
“Not having enough water for your pets can become a serious issue very quickly,” said Mike Reberg, director of Salt Lake County Animal Services.
Ogden Animal Services has patrols out looking for pets locked in hot cars. Offenders can face a $500 fine.
“You’re risking its life,” said Stefanie Butte, Ogden Animal Services.
Butte drives around Ogden, looking for dogs left alone in cars. She will often follow the sound of barking or look for cracked windows to find dogs locked in cars. She can then measure the temperature in the car to see if it is safe for the dog.
"We can break a window if we have to get a dog out in distress," Butte said.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, when outside temperatures reach 90 degrees, the inside of a car can climb up to 128 degrees after an hour.
Sandy Nelson of Salt Lake County Animal Services said if you wonder if your pet should be inside or out during a hot day, leave your pet inside.
“If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog,” Nelson said.
