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Jed Boal ReportingThis three-month old puppy has a summer-time lesson for us, a hot dog isn't necessarily a good thing on a holiday weekend. The heat takes a toll on all of us and our pets can suffer even worse.
South Salt Lake animal services officers see an alarming trend this summer with more dogs left in cars on hot days.
A Chihuahua puppy endured a heck of a day in the heat yesterday. His owner left him in a black SUV in the parking lot of the Department of Motor Vehicles. It was 90-degrees outside and much hotter inside that car.
Dan Diener, South Salt Lake Animal Services Supervisor: "The dog was howling and screeching and crying and trying to squeeze up underneath the seat of the vehicle to find some shade and cool."
Animal services rescued the dog and let him gulp down water.
In the last two weeks, South Salt Lake alone has responded to eight calls for dogs left in cars. Typically they get a handful the entire summer. Officers wrote citations for animal cruelty and impounded the Chihuahua.
Dan Diener, South Salt Lake Animal Services Supervisor: "We have not had this many calls this close together in the three years I've been with South Salt Lake."
On an 85 degree day, it doesn't take long for your car to turn into an oven. In ten minutes the temperature can soar to 102 degrees. In 30 minutes, it can reach 120 degrees and at 110 degrees, your dog can experience severe effects from heat stroke.
Cracking the windows does not ventilate the car enough.
The shelter is grateful people share their lives with their dogs, but in this heat, the dog needs shade, fresh air and fresh water.
Dan Diener, South Salt Lake Animal Services Supervisor: "Go do your errands in your air conditioned car and come home and play with your dog when it cools off in the evening, he'll love you a lot more."
As for the Chihuahua pup, he'll be okay and the prosecutor is reviewing his case..
