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Well, here we go again. Brutally hot weather is coming to Central IL for what appears to be a bit of an extended stay. It's hard enough to deal with in the air conditioning yet every da,y it seems, I see at least one person who feels compelled to leave their pets locked up in their car while they are off doing - whatever.
Just like their human caregivers, pets are susceptible to heatstroke and even death in weather like this. Dogs with flat faces such as bulldogs and pugs can be especially sensitive to the heat. Senior animals, animals with underlying health issues, overweight animals, and animals with unusually thick coats are also more vulnerable to hot temperatures.
But I will only be a couple of minutes...
That may be your intention, but what if your order isn't ready, there are compute problems, you bump into that old friend you haven't seen in forever? It is incredibly easy to lose track of time. Besides, according to the ASPCA, on an 85-degree day, it takes just 10 minutes for the temperature in your car to get over 100. In 30 minutes, your vehicle is a 120-degree oven. And as a point of reference here, the forecast for the next couple of weeks is calling for temperatures well into the 90s with heat index readings in the 100s.
I left the windows cracked...
Nice try, but NO!! If you leave your windows cracked enough to let in air but still keep your pet inside, there is not going to be enough airflow to keep your pet cool enough. Cars with cracked windows routinely get too hot, and the animal suffers and, yes, sometimes die.
I left the car running with the air on...
This will keep your pet cool... assuming your car doesn't stall out, and assuming a car thief isn't tempted to help himself to the car you so kindly left running.
I parked my car in the shade...
Still, NO! Shade offers little in the way of cooling protection on hot days. Plus, shade will move with the sun. That shady spot you thought you parked in may be in full sun when you come back
But he gives me the sad puppy eyes when I leave him at home...
No! No!! No!!! Your kid gave you the sad eyes when you wouldn't let him jump off the garage while he was wearing a red cape and pretending to be Superman, but you still said "no" (I hope). Our pets want to be with us and us them, but this is the time of year to be the parent and not the friend and do what is best and safest. If you have an animal that suffers from separation anxiety, talk with your vet about ways to keep your pet calm and safe at home
It's my pet! I'll do what I want, and you can mind your own business...
Really?? That's what you're going with? Then you should know a couple of things. According to IL State Law 510 ILCS 70/7.1, it is illegal "confine any animal in a motor vehicle in such a manner that places it in a life or health-threatening situation by exposure to a prolonged period of extreme heat or cold, without proper ventilation or other protection from such heat or cold." If you are reported, "an animal control officer, law enforcement officer, or Department investigator has authority to enter such motor vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances after making a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person responsible." You can also be found guilty of Class C misdemeanor (punishable by up to 30 days in jail, two years of probation, and/or fines of up to $1,500) for the first offense. If you are stupid enough to do it again, it becomes a Class B misdemeanor (punishable by up to six months in jail, up to two years of probation, and/or fines of up to $1,500.)
It is not legal in Illinois, yet, for regular citizens to "accidentally" break your car window to rescue your pet, but, hey, things happen sometimes... don't they.
So do everyone a favor, especially your pets, and leave them home.
Source: ASPCA
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