Urgent: PETA Warns That Dogs in Cocoa May Die in Heat Wave—Vital Tips Here

For Immediate Release:
June 25, 2021

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

A K-9 officer died after being left in a hot car in Cocoa recently, and this week’s high temperatures will put dogs at high risk of heat prostration and death, so PETA is issuing an urgent warning to anyone with a dog. Please be sure to do the following:

• Touch the pavement to ensure that it won’t burn dogs’ foot pads.
• Be alert to a long, curled-up tongue and heavy panting, as dogs cannot sweat as humans can and heat builds up inside their bodies.
• Walk only in the shade or on earth or grass, and never leave animals outdoors in extreme heat or inside vehicles.

This month, PETA fieldworkers discovered the body of a dog who had died after being left chained up in the hot sun, and similar reports nationwide are starting to roll in. Recently, a law-enforcement officer mistakenly left his patrol car with a dog inside it, and the K-9 succumbed to heat prostration and died. Last year, more than 31 dogs were reported dead from heat-related causes. (Figures are far likely higher, as most heat-related deaths go unreported.)

Anyone who leaves animals outside to suffer in severe weather may be prosecuted for cruelty.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.