Companion Animals Are Dying in Hot Weather—These Are the Reported Cases
Last updated on October 14, 2024:
The number of dogs and other companion animals who have reportedly died from heat-related causes in 2024:
111
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Every year, PETA receives reports about dogs, cats, and other animals who have died after being left in hot cars or outside during hot weather. In 2023 alone, 163 animals endured heat–related deaths and another 855 were rescued from the heat—and those are just the ones that were reported. Most almost certainly aren’t.
| Year | Deaths | Deaths | Rescues | Rescues |
| 2024 | 111 | See the list. | 388 | See the list. |
| 2023 | 163 | See the list. | 855 | See the list. |
| 2022 | 58 | See the list. | 490 | See the list. |
| 2021 | 60 | See the list. | 145 | See the list. |
| 2020 | 32 | See the list. | 50 | See the list. |
| 2019 | 53 | See the list. | 125 | See the list. |
| 2018 | 60 | See the list. | 93 | See the list. |
The following list is a compilation of heat-related deaths of companion animals reported in 2024:
| Date | Location | Number of Dogs or Other Animals Who Died | Notes |
| 9/24/2024 | Phoenix, Arizona | 1 | Two dogs were rushed to an emergency veterinarian after they were found chained to a pole in a backyard during an extreme heat wave. They had no food, water, or shade, and one died. The dogs’ owner was accused of violating city code and charged with two felonies. |
| 9/24/2024 | Pleasanton, California | 1 | A dog died while trapped on a balcony in the heat. |
| 9/19/2024 | Ames, Iowa | 1 | A cat was found dead in a hot car after being left without food and water for “multiple days.” The cat’s owner was charged with animal neglect leading to serious injury or death. |
| 9/19/2024 | Cleveland County, Oklahoma | 1 | A K-9 was found dead inside his handler’s hot car. |
| 9/12/2024 | Clearwater, Florida | 1 | An employee at a companion animal resort left two dogs in an outside fenced kennel for a “potty break.” Both dogs collapsed from heat exhaustion, and one died. |
| 9/5/2024 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 1 | A dog showing signs of heat distress died after his owner refused to provide him with water or allow him to cool off. |
| 9/4/2024 | Ontario County, New York | 1 | A dog with untreated cancer had to be euthanized after being left in a hot camper for days without food or water. |
| 8/22/2024 | Byron, Georgia | 1 | A dog died in a hot RV after its generator malfunctioned. |
| 8/20/2024 | Sugar Land, Texas | 1 | A dog died from heatstroke after being left outside at a boarding facility. |
| 8/20/2024 | Manor, Texas | 1 | A person was arrested for animal cruelty after leaving nine dogs in cages in the heat, resulting in the death of one of them. |
| 8/15/2024 | Canandaigua, New York | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot car. |
| 8/13/2024 | Macon, Georgia | 1 | A man was arrested after a dog was found dead in his hot vehicle. |
| 8/7/2024 | Outside Baker, California | 4 | Four dogs living in the Mojave Desert were rescued from the extreme heat. |
| 8/4/2024 | Olympia, Washington | 1 | Mall security personnel rescued a puppy from a hot vehicle. |
| 8/2/2024 | Henderson, Kentucky | 1 | One dog died and another was rescued after they were left outdoors without water or shelter. |
| 7/31/2024 | Arnold, Missouri | 1 | A K-9 in a patrol vehicle with malfunctioning air conditioning died from heat exhaustion. |
| 7/31/2024 | Twiggs County, Georgia | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot vehicle by a tow truck operator. |
| 7/30/2024 | Shorewood, Illinois | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot car while their owner went shopping. |
| 7/28/2024 | Dorchester County, South Carolina | 1 | A K-9 died in a hot patrol car. |
| 7/27/2024 | Tybee Island, Georgia | 1 | A dog died after getting trapped in a hot car without their guardians’ knowledge. |
| 7/26/2024 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 1 | A dog was found inside a taped-shut plastic tote in 110-degree heat and later died due to blood clotting caused by severe heatstroke and shock. |
| 7/25/2024 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 7/21/2024 | Coeur d’Alene, Idaho | 1 | A dog in a boarding and training facility died from apparent heat exhaustion. |
| 7/16/2024 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 1 | A dog suffering from extreme heat exposure was found in an alley. The animal was taken for emergency care but didn’t respond to treatment. |
| 7/15/2024 | Des Moines, Iowa | 1 | A dog had to be euthanized due to heatstroke after being left in a yard without adequate water or shelter. The boyfriend of the dog’s owner was arrested and charged with animal neglect. |
| 7/15/2024 | Miami, Florida | 1 | A dog died after being left outside in hot weather. |
| 7/14/2024 | Springfield, Missouri | 10 | Thirteen puppies found inside a hot car were taken to an emergency veterinary clinic, where only three survived. |
| 7/11/2024 | Thermal, California | 19 | Riverside County Animal Services found more than 40 dogs left unattended at a property. Nineteen dogs were found dead, and the remaining dogs were rescued. |
| 7/11/2024 | Westminster, Colorado | 2 | Westminster Animal Management reported the deaths of two dogs left in hot cars. |
| 7/9/2024 | Boston, Massachusetts | 3 | Three dogs were found dead inside an abandoned U-Haul van. |
| 7/8/2024 | Coalinga, California | 1 | A K-9 died after being found lethargic in an outdoor kennel following a weekend of “dangerously high” temperatures. |
| 7/7/2024 | Telluride, Colorado | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot car by a companion animal sitter. |
| 7/7/2024 | Harnett County, North Carolina | 1 | A stolen dog died after presumably being left in a hot FedEx truck. |
| 7/7/2024 | Pine Hills, Florida | 1 | A dog died after being left in a car. |
| 7/6/2024 | Apex, North Carolina | 1 | Police found seven puppies in a hot car. One of them didn’t respond to medical care and was later euthanized. |
| 7/5/2024 | Danville, Virginia | 1 | Police rescued a dog who was discovered chained to an air conditioning unit on a hot day. The dog didn’t respond to medical care and was later euthanized. |
| 7/5/2024 | Gainesville, Florida | 1 | A K-9 died after overheating while pursuing a suspect. |
| 7/2/2024 | Raleigh, North Carolina | 1 | Six puppies were rescued after being abandoned outside without food or water in a crate as temperatures reached at least 90 degrees. One of the dogs later died. |
| 7/1/2024 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | 1 | A dog died after being left inside a hot car. |
| 6/30/2024 | Honolulu, Hawaii | 1 | A dog died after overheating inside his carrier during a flight. |
| 6/29/2024 | Houston, Texas | 3 | Seven dogs were rushed to an “animal emergency room” after a sitter left them in a hot shed. Three of the dogs later died from heat-related causes. |
| 6/25/2024 | Macon, Georgia | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot car in a Walmart parking lot. |
| 6/24/2024 | Memphis, Tennessee | 1 | Memphis Animal Services reported that a dog died after being found unresponsive in the play yard at its shelter. Preliminary information suggested that the dog’s death was heat-related. |
| 6/24/2024 | Lafayette, Indiana | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot vehicle while their owner was at work at a hospital. |
| 6/24/2024 | Lexington, Kentucky | 2 | Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control reported receiving 18 animal-related calls over the previous weekend. Reasons for the calls included dogs left in hot cars; animals who apparently weren’t provided with the appropriate amount of food, water, or shade; and dogs experiencing heat-related illness. Two of the 18 animals later died. |
| 6/22/2024 | Greenwich, Connecticut | 3 | Three dogs died and four others were treated for heatstroke after being transported in a hot U-Haul van by a dog trainer. |
| 6/22/2024 | Lilburn, Georgia | 1 | A dog tethered to a porch died after being left without food, water, and shelter from the heat for six days. |
| 6/22/2024 | Stockton, California | 1 | A K-9 died from suspected heat-related causes. |
| 6/21/2024 | Hamburg, New York | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot car. |
| 6/20/2024 | Savannah, Missouri | 1 | A K-9 died after being left in a hot car following an overnight shift. |
| 6/20/2024 | Jackson County, Tennessee | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot car for seven hours during extreme heat. |
| 6/20/2024 | Indianapolis, Indiana | 1 | Two dogs and a cat were left inside a hot car while the owners stayed at a hotel. The cat and one of the dogs were rescued, but the other dog died. |
| 6/20/2024 | Houston, Texas | 1 | A dog was found dead inside a hot car in a hotel parking lot. |
| 6/17/2024 | Chester, Pennsylvania | 1 | A dog was found dead after being left outside in hot weather for more than eight hours. |
| 6/16/2024 | Fort Myers, Florida | 1 | Two dogs were left outside in the heat without food and water. One dog was surrendered to police, but the other died. |
| 6/13/2024 | Peoria, Arizona | 1 | A dog and his guardian were found dead inside a car. Heatstroke was the suspected cause of death. |
| 6/11/2024 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 6 | Police found 15 animals, including six dead dogs, inside a U-Haul. Six dogs and three cats were rescued. |
| 6/5/2024 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | 1 | One dog died and another was rescued after they were left in a hot car. |
| 6/1/2024 | Dallas, Texas | 2 | A dog died and another had to be euthanized after they were left in a cage on a hot airport tarmac for six hours following a flight. |
| 5/26/2024 | Wilton Manors, Florida | 3 | Three dogs died after being left in a car without air conditioning for an extended period. |
| 5/30/2024 | Phoenix, Arizona | 1 | A dog left on a balcony died of heat-related causes. |
| 5/26/2024 | Tallahassee, Florida | 1 | A dog died of heatstroke after spending an hour at a dog park. |
| 5/19/2024 | Sandusky, Ohio | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot car while their owner showered. |
| 5/19/2024 | Dixon, Illinois | 1 | Despite receiving medical treatment, a dog who was found abandoned outside later died of heat-related causes. |
| 5/18/2024 | Lee County, Florida | 1 | A dog died from heat exhaustion after getting lost in a nature preserve. |
| 5/17/2024 | Waterloo, Iowa | 1 | A dog who was made to leave a store later died after being left in a hot car. |
| 5/4/2024 | Lake Buena Vista, Florida | 1 | Four puppies were discovered in a hot car in a Disney Springs parking garage. One of them later died. |
| 4/17/2024 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | 1 | A dog, who was likely suffering from heatstroke, collapsed while getting groomed and later died. |
| 4/14/2024 | Augusta, Georgia | 2 | A dog and a cat were rescued from a hot SUV. Two other cats were found dead in the vehicle. |
| 4/4/2024 | Glendale, Arizona | 1 | A dog died after being left in a hot car while their owner was shopping. |
The following list is a compilation of heat-related rescues of companion animals reported in 2024:
| Date | Location | Number of Dogs or Other Animals Rescued | Notes |
| 9/28/2024 | Avondale, Arizona | 1 | A dog was rescued after being tethered to a home in the heat without access to food and water. Local police expect charges to be filed against her former owner. |
| 9/26/2024 | Alameda, California | 1 | A dog was rescued from a hot car. |
| 9/24/2024 | Phoenix, Arizona | 1 | Two dogs were rushed to an emergency veterinarian after they were found chained to a pole in a backyard during an extreme heat wave. They had no food, water, or shade, and one died. The dogs’ owner was accused of violating city code and charged with two felonies. |
| 9/20/2024 | Denton, Texas | 1 | A dog was rescued from a hot car. Police cited the animal’s owner. |
| 9/15/2024 | Naples, Florida | 1 | A puppy was rescued after being left in a hot truck for over an hour while his owner went shopping. |
| 9/14/2024 | Corpus Christi, Texas | 1 | A dog was rushed to an animal hospital after being found in a hot U-Haul truck by police officers. |
| 9/12/2024 | Clearwater, Florida | 1 | An employee at a companion animal resort left two dogs in an outside fenced kennel for a “potty break.” Both dogs collapsed from heat exhaustion, and one died. |
| 9/6/2024 | Lakewood, Colorado | 1 | A puppy was rescued from a car whose interior temperature was 117 degrees. The animal’s owner was cited for animal neglect. |
| 9/5/2024 | Newport Beach, California | 1 | Animal control officers rescued a dog from a hot car at a shopping center. |
| 8/30/2024 | Dallas, Oregon | 2 | The local police department reported that it would issue a warning to the owner of dogs left unattended in a vehicle. |
| 8/28/2024 | Jackson, Mississippi | 1 | A starving dog was rescued after he was found chained outside in the heat with no water. |
| 8/27/2024 | LaPorte County, Indiana | 1 | A K-9 was rushed to a veterinary clinic with symptoms of heatstroke. |
| 8/26/2024 | Mason City, Iowa | 29 | A total of 29 cats with no access to food or water were rescued from a hot van. |
| 8/24/2024 | Houston, Texas | 1 | A woman rescued a dog from a ditch in the sweltering heat. |
| 8/20/2024 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | The Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department reported that it has received 370 calls so far this year involving companion animals left in hot cars. | |
| 8/20/2024 | Manor, Texas | 8 | A person was arrested for animal cruelty after leaving nine dogs in cages in the heat, resulting in the death of one of them. |
| 8/14/2024 | Dedham, Massachusetts | 1 | A dog’s owner was cited after police found the animal in a hot car. |
| 8/11/2024 | Bennington, New York | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 8/10/2024 | Asheboro, North Carolina | 1 | Two people were charged with cruelty to animals for leaving a dog in a hot vehicle as they visited a zoo. |
| 8/9/2024 | Dedham, Massachusetts | 1 | A dog owner was cited a second time for leaving their dog in a hot vehicle in the same parking lot as the previous offense. |
| 8/8/2024 | Carmel, New York | 1 | A person was charged after leaving a dog in a hot car. |
| 8/7/2024 | Middleburg Heights, Ohio | 1 | A dog’s owner was cited after police found the animal in a hot car. |
| 8/2/2024 | St. Petersburg, Florida | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 8/2/2024 | Dedham, Massachusetts | 2 | Two dogs were found tied to a parked car in a hot parking lot. |
| 8/2/2024 | Gillette, Wyoming | 1 | A puppy was rescued from a hot car. |
| 8/2/2024 | Henderson, Kentucky | 1 | One dog died and another was rescued after they were left outdoors without water or shelter. |
| 8/1/2024 | Brewster, New York | 1 | A person was charged after leaving a dog in a hot car. |
| 7/31/2024 | Mount Shasta, California | 5 | Police rescued a dog and four puppies from a hot car. |
| 7/31/2024 | Gillette, Wyoming | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car in a store parking lot. |
| 7/31/2024 | Cortland, Ohio | 2 | Police rescued two puppies from a hot car. |
| 7/26/2024 | Round Rock, Texas | 2 | Two dogs were found panting heavily in a 123-degree vehicle. |
| 7/25/2024 | St. Albans, Vermont | A dog was reportedly left in a vehicle. | |
| 7/24/2024 | Wake County, North Carolina | Wake County Animal Services reported that three people had been charged with cruelty to animals over a 10-day period for leaving dogs in hot cars. | |
| 7/23/2024 | Dedham, Massachusetts | 1 | A dog was found locked in a hot car. |
| 7/22/2024 | Airdrie, Alberta, Canada | 1 | The Airdrie Fire Department responded to three calls regarding animals left in hot vehicles over the previous three days. |
| 7/21/2024 | La Crescenta-Montrose, California | 1 | An overheated dog was rescued from a hiking trail. |
| 7/21/2024 | Torrington, Connecticut | Torrington Animal Control reported an uptick in calls concerning dogs left in hot cars. | |
| 7/20/2024 | Longmont, Colorado | Police issued a summons to the owner of a dog left in a hot vehicle. | |
| 7/19/2024 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Calgary police reported eight incidents of dogs left in hot cars since July 1. | |
| 7/18/2024 | Idaho | 3 | The Idaho Humane Society reported receiving 141 calls to rescue animals from hot vehicles from March 20 to July 2. |
| 7/17/2024 | St. Albans, Vermont | A dog was reportedly left in a car. | |
| 7/17/2024 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | 1 | A dog was rescued from a hot car. |
| 7/16/2024 | Narragansett, Rhode Island | 1 | A dog owner pleaded not guilty to charges after police rescued her dog from a hot car. |
| 7/16/2024 | 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada | 1 | Police rescued a dog left in a hot vehicle. The police department reported receiving approximately four calls a week regarding dogs left in cars, with three calls received in one day during the previous week. |
| 7/16/2024 | Greenbelt, Maryland | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 7/16/2024 | Orlando, Florida | 2 | Two dogs were rescued from a car at Aquatica. |
| 7/15/2024 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | 6 | Edmonton Fire Rescue Services reported that it responded to calls regarding six animals left unattended in vehicles the previous day. |
| 7/15/2024 | Baltimore, Maryland | 1 | A woman rescued a dog—apparently suffering from heatstroke—from the scorching heat. |
| 7/14/2024 | Garden City, Kansas | 13 | Thirteen puppies were rescued from the side of a road. Police reported that the dogs were “hot” due to the extreme temperatures. |
| 7/14/2024 | Springfield, Missouri | 3 | Thirteen puppies found inside a hot car were taken to an emergency veterinary clinic, where only three survived. |
| 7/13/2024 | St. Albans, Vermont | A dog was reportedly seen panting while locked in a vehicle. | |
| 7/13/2024 | Peoria, Illinois | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 7/13/2024 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Police investigated a hot car parked in a grocery store lot that had an unattended dog inside. | |
| 7/13/2024 | Lake City, Florida | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 7/12/2024 | Newburgh, New York | 43 | A total of 43 “lethargic” cats were rescued from a hot van. |
| 7/11/2024 | Pasco County, Florida | 16 | Sixteen puppies were rescued from a cage left outside a convenience store. |
| 7/11/2024 | Wheat Ridge, Colorado | 2 | A dog and a kitten were rescued from a hot parked camper. |
| 7/11/2024 | Livermore, California | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car in a Costco parking lot. |
| 7/11/2024 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1 | An abandoned dog was rescued from the sweltering outdoor heat. |
| 7/11/2024 | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina | 23 | A total of 23 dogs—“chained in unlivable conditions”—were rescued from a wooded area behind a home. |
| 7/11/2024 | Thermal, California | 21 | Riverside County Animal Services found more than 40 dogs left unattended at a property. Nineteen dogs were found dead, and the remaining dogs were rescued. |
| 7/10/2024 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | 1 | A dog was rescued after being tethered to a fence during a heat wave without food and water. The dog’s owner was charged with cruelty to animals and neglect. |
| 7/10/2024 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | 1 | Animal control officers rescued a dog from a hot car in a shopping mall parking lot. |
| 7/10/2024 | Elora, Ontario, Canada | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 7/9/2024 | Wheat Ridge, Colorado | 1 | A dog was left in a hot car while their owner dined in a nearby restaurant. |
| 7/9/2024 | Cary, North Carolina | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car in a hotel parking lot. |
| 7/8/2024 | Merlin, Oregon | 1 | A service dog and his blind guardian were rescued from extreme heat after going on a hike. |
| 7/8/2024 | Snyder County, Pennsylvania | 1 | A dog was left in a hot car while their owner shopped at a Walmart store. |
| 7/8/2024 | Bradenton, Florida | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 7/6/2024 | Apex, North Carolina | 6 | Police found seven puppies in a hot car. One of them didn’t respond to medical care and was later euthanized. |
| 7/6/2024 | San Diego, California | The San Diego Humane Society reported that it had responded to 85 calls regarding animals left in hot vehicles during the previous month. | |
| 7/5/2024 | Murrieta, California | 2 | Police rescued two dogs from a hot truck in a Walmart parking lot. |
| 7/4/2024 | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | 2 | Police rescued a dog and a cat from a hot car in a shopping center parking lot. |
| 7/4/2024 | Chandler, Arizona | 1 | A dog was rescued from a hot car after passersby alerted the police. |
| 7/3/2024 | Fresno, California | 12 | A community service officer rescued 12 dogs from extreme heat at a park. |
| 7/3/2024 | Sacramento, California | 1 | Firefighters rescued a “disoriented” dog from the bluffs along the American River on a hot day. |
| 7/3/2024 | Orlando, Florida | 1 | A dog was rescued from a car at SeaWorld. |
| 7/2/2024 | Raleigh, North Carolina | 5 | Six puppies were rescued after being abandoned outside without food or water in a crate as temperatures reached at least 90 degrees. One of the dogs later died. |
| 7/1/2024 | Lake Buena Vista, Florida | 1 | A dog was rescued from a car at the Disney Springs shopping complex. |
| 6/29/2024 | Houston, Texas | 4 | Seven dogs were rushed to an “animal emergency room” after a sitter left them in a hot shed. Three of the dogs later died from heat-related causes. |
| 6/29/2024 | Florida City, Florida | 3 | Police rescued three dogs from a crate full of feces and urine in a hot car outside a motel. The dogs had “visible marks on their skin, possibly bite marks.” |
| 6/28/2024 | Wheat Ridge, Colorado | 1 | Police responded to calls reporting a dog left inside a hot car. Shortly afterward, the owner arrived at the scene and removed the dog from the vehicle. |
| 6/28/2024 | Asheville, North Carolina | 4 | A litter of puppies was rescued after being abandoned in a container left out in the hot sun. |
| 6/27/2024 | Lincoln, Nebraska | 3 | Lincoln Animal Control reported that it responded to 53 calls regarding dogs left unattended in hot cars so far this summer. |
| 6/27/2024 | Hempstead, New York | 1 | Local police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 6/24/2024 | Tarrant County, Texas | 8 | Police rescued eight puppies who were left without water in a carrier in 100-degree weather. |
| 6/24/2024 | Lexington, Kentucky | 16 | Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control reported receiving 18 animal-related calls over the previous weekend. Reasons for the calls included dogs left in hot cars; animals who apparently weren’t provided with the appropriate amount of food, water, or shade; and dogs experiencing heat-related illness. Two of the 18 animals later died. |
| 6/22/2024 | Greenwich, Connecticut | 4 | Three dogs died and four others were treated for heatstroke after being transported in a hot U-Haul van by a dog trainer. |
| 6/22/2024 | Wheat Ridge, Colorado | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot trailer. |
| 6/21/2024 | Walker County, Georgia | 4 | Three dogs were left without food or water inside a hot car for five days. A fourth dog was found without food or water in a nearby shed. |
| 6/20/2024 | Pennsboro, West Virginia | 1 | A K-9 was rescued from a hot patrol car. |
| 6/20/2024 | Indianapolis, Indiana | 2 | Two dogs and a cat were left inside a hot car while the owners stayed at a hotel. The cat and one of the dogs were rescued, but the other dog died. |
| 6/17/2024 | Kilgore, Texas | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot vehicle in a Walmart parking lot. |
| 6/16/2024 | Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada | 3 | Police rescued three dogs who were left in a hot car. |
| 6/16/2024 | Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada | 10 | According to police, 10 animals were rescued from hot vehicles during the first half of June. |
| 6/16/2024 | Fort Myers, Florida | 1 | Two dogs were left outside in the heat without food and water. One dog was surrendered to police, but the other died. |
| 6/15/2024 | Queens, New York | 6 | Six puppies were rescued from a hot, urine-soaked sack. |
| 6/13/2024 | Marionville, Missouri | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a 100-degree car. |
| 6/12/2024 | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | 1 | Police rescued a dog in distress from a hot car. |
| 6/11/2024 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 9 | Police found 15 animals, including six dead dogs, inside a U-Haul. Six dogs and three cats were rescued. |
| 6/10/2024 | St. Petersburg, Florida | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car while the owner attended a community meeting. |
| 6/10/2024 | Boise, Idaho | 1 | The Idaho Humane Society rescued a dog from a 107-degree car. |
| 6/9/2024 | Joshua Tree, California | 1 | A dehydrated puppy was rescued after running loose in a park for two days in 90-degree heat. |
| 6/6/2024 | Washington, Utah | 2 | The local fire department rescued two dogs from a hot park restroom. |
| 6/6/2024 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 4 | Four puppies were rescued after being found in a bucket on a sidewalk during a hot day. |
| 6/5/2024 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | 1 | One dog died and another was rescued after they were left in a hot car. |
| 6/5/2024 | Chandler, Arizona | 1 | Local police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 9/4/2024 | Lauderhill, Florida | 1 | Police rescued a dog from a hot car. |
| 6/3/2024 | Naugatuck, Connecticut | 1 | Naugatuck Animal Control rushed a dog showing signs of severe heatstroke to a veterinary hospital. |
| 6/2/2024 | New Smyrna Beach, Florida | 1 | A dog was rescued from a truck while the owners were at the beach. |
| 6/1/2024 | Bennington, New York | 1 | A man was charged after leaving a dog in a hot vehicle. |
| 5/27/2024 | Springfield, Missouri | 2 | Local police rescued a dog and a cat from a hot vehicle. |
| 5/26/2024 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 2 | Police rescued two dogs from a hot minivan. |
| 5/21/2024 | Clearwater, Florida | 1 | A dog was rescued from a hot car in a beach parking lot. |
| 5/21/2024 | Houston, Texas | 1 | Firefighters rescued a dog from a hot, abandoned car. |
| 5/21/2024 | Omaha, Nebraska | 1 | A dog showing signs of heat distress was rescued from a hot car. |
| 5/18/2024 | Houston, Texas | 2 | A man already wanted for alleged cruelty to animals was arrested after he left two dogs in a hot car for hours. |
| 5/16/2024 | Buffalo, New York | 4 | Four kittens were rescued from a box left out in the sun. |
| 5/14/2024 | Pembroke Pines, Florida | 3 | Three dogs were rescued from a hot car in a hospital parking lot. |
| 5/12/2024 | New Orleans, Louisiana | 1 | A dog was saved by concerned neighbors after being thrown into a dumpster. |
| 5/4/2024 | Lake Buena Vista, Florida | 3 | Four puppies were discovered in a hot car in a Disney Springs parking garage. One of them later died. |
| 4/26/2024 | San Carlos Park, Florida | 1 | Firefighters rescued a dog from a locked car on a hot day. |
| 4/18/2024 | Houston, Texas | 1 | A dog—lethargic from being left out in the heat for an extended period—was rescued from a balcony. |
| 4/14/2024 | Augusta, Georgia | 2 | A dog and a cat were rescued from a hot SUV. Two other cats were found dead in the vehicle. |
| 4/12/2024 | Portage, Pennsylvania | 1 | A man was charged for allegedly leaving a dog in a hot car for hours. |
| 4/9/2024 | Port St. Lucie, Florida | 1 | Police broke into a parked car whose interior temperature was over 100 degrees to save a dog. |
No animal should endure a heat-related death. It’s inexcusable.
As guardians, we must take these vital steps in order to protect our beloved family members:
1. Keep dogs and cats indoors.
Unlike humans, dogs can sweat only through their footpads and cool themselves by panting, which makes it extra hard for them to beat the heat. Being left outside in hot weather can cause heat stress, injury, or death.
2. Never leave your dog—or any other animal—in a hot car.
It’s like being baked alive. Heatstroke can happen in just minutes, even with the car’s windows partially rolled down. And opening a window slightly won’t help—parking in the shade or leaving water in the vehicle won’t prevent your dog from overheating, either.
3. If you see a dog in a hot car …
… call 911 immediately. While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, write down the car’s make, model, and license plate number, or take a picture of the vehicle and go to the nearest building to find a manager and ask that the owner of the car be paged. If authorities are unresponsive or too slow to respond and the animal’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness who will back up your assessment before carefully removing the animal from the car and carrying him or her into the shade. PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for help with intervening in these life-or-death situations. Don’t leave until the authorities arrive on the scene and you know that the dog is safe. Learn more about what to do if you see a dog in a hot car.
4. Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke, and take action if you see them.
Heatstroke is a potentially fatal emergency. Symptoms include restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy, and lack of appetite or coordination. If a dog is exhibiting these signs, attempt to lower the body temperature by providing the animal with water and applying a cold towel to the head and chest. If someone is with you, one of you should take these steps in the car as the other drives the dog to a veterinarian.
5. Be mindful when walking a dog in hot weather.
On a hot day, the pavement on sidewalks can reach temperatures between 130 and 180 degrees, which is hot enough to hurt your dog’s feet and even seriously burn them. Here are some helpful tips when walking your companion in the heat:
- Always test the pavement with the palm of your hand before setting out—if it feels hot, it’s too hot for Spot.
- Walk early in the morning or late in the evening, when it’s cooler.
- Choose shady routes.
- Carry water, and take frequent breaks.
- Never make dogs wear muzzles or halters that restrict their breathing.
- Opt for a lightweight fabric collar or a nifty Swamp Cooler vest.
- Walk—don’t run. Dogs will run to the point of collapse just to please you. At that point, it may be too late to save them.
Together, we can help drastically reduce the number of dogs and other animal companions who die in hot weather and even eliminate these tragedies altogether. Animals are counting on us—as their guardians and as good Samaritans—to keep them safe. We mustn’t let them down.
Take Action Now
The Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats (HOT CARS) Act of 2017 aims to minimize the number of children and animals who die in hot cars every year by requiring that automakers equip all vehicles with technology that alerts drivers when a passenger remains in the backseat after the engine has been turned off. Sadly, since the bill was introduced, more deaths have occurred—and there will certainly be more in the months ahead. But we can prevent tragedies like these. Click below to help:
Make sure that all your friends and family know the potentially lifesaving hot weather tips above.
Watch this video, listen to this radio clip, and check out this ad to learn more about the reasons why you should never leave a dog in a hot car.
