After Lightning Strike Kills Dog, PETA Offers Tips for Keeping Animals Safe During Storms

Group Warns Against Leaving Animals Outside to Fend for Themselves

For Immediate Release:
August 27, 2014

Contact:
Lauren Rutkowski 202-483-7382

Panama City, Fla. –

In the wake of the death of a Panama City police dog who was killed by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm on Sunday, PETA is offering important advice for ensuring the safety of animal companions. Please alert your audience to the following information, which could help save the lives of cats, dogs, companion birds, and other animals:

Keep cats and dogs indoors during thunderstorms, and if possible, stay with them. Never leave animals tethered or chained outside—they can hang themselves if they leap over a fence while trying to run from loud noise, such as thunder.
Close your windows and curtains. To help drown out the sound of the thunder, turn on fans and air-conditioning units, the TV, or a radio that’s tuned to a classical-music station.
Make sure that your animal companion is microchipped and wearing a collar or a harness with an up-to-date identification tag—just in case.
During a flood, never leave your animals outdoors, tied up, or confined in any way, as they will be trapped and unable to flee rising waters. (Please click on the hyperlinks to see photos of dogs who were left outside during past storms.) If you seek safety within your residence, be sure to include all your animals.
Watch for other animals in need, including strays and animals who are left behind by neighbors. If you see an animal in distress and are unable to help, note the animal’s condition and location and call authorities for help as soon as possible.

Print: A copy of PETA’s disaster-preparedness public service announcement is available to link to or downloadhere.
TV: A copy of PETA’s disaster-preparedness public service announcement is available to link to or download here.
Radio: A copy of PETA’s disaster-preparedness public service announcement is available to link to or download here.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.