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SALT LAKE CITY — It's been a big week for animal rights in Utah — particularly dogs — with news reports of dogs left out in the heat and public outcry after a Salt Lake City police officer shot a dog.
The defense for dogs continued Sunday after more reports of dogs being left in hot cars. Animal advocates say Utahns can a much better job of taking care of their pets
“Two dogs have died in just the last week,” said Temma Martin, spokeswoman for the Best Friends Animal Society. “One was a pet left outside on a balcony with no water to drink, and the other was one of two dogs that were taken hiking … without adequate water.”
Both the Bountiful and Salt Lake City police departments are using Twitter to spread the word about dogs being left in cars. On Saturday, Salt Lake City police tweeted that their dispatch center received at least three calls of pets left in cars; and they got seven more calls throughout the weekend.
Experts say sometimes there are the obvious cases of neglect, but other cases involve well-intentioned pet owners who just didn't know better.
“We always think of pets dying in cars because it does get a lot more attention. But every year in Utah pets die just from exposure to the heat,” Martin said.
Pets need shade at all times, she said, and adequate water that's changed out regularly.
“Especially pets that are tethered have been known to die in the past in Utah — because they may have shade at one point in the day, but as the sun moves they’re in direct sunlight,” Martin said.
New laws have helped call more attention to animal rights in Utah. For example, Henry's Law was passed in 2008, making animal cruelty a felony in the state; and this past legislative session lawmakers passed HB97, which makes breed discrimination illegal in Utah. That law will take effect in January 2015.
“As we get very focused on certain things that we see in the news, it’s important — if you love animals — (to) look at the big picture and think of ways that you can help them and protect them all the time,” Martin said.
For more information about how you can help Utah pets, visit bestfriends.org.
