Keep your pets cool

Vets, police urge pet owners to take care of their animals

Wilson the dog drinks water Thursday at the North Jefferson City Recreation Area dog park. Wilson and his owner, Abbie Mueller, are frequent visitors to the dog park. Area veterinarians and police urge pet owners to take care of their animals during the extreme heat.
Wilson the dog drinks water Thursday at the North Jefferson City Recreation Area dog park. Wilson and his owner, Abbie Mueller, are frequent visitors to the dog park. Area veterinarians and police urge pet owners to take care of their animals during the extreme heat.

With Jefferson City under an excessive heat warning, local veterinarians and the Jefferson City Police Department are urging residents to take care of their pets.

Dr. Ashley French, veterinarian at Weathered Rock Vet Clinic in Jefferson City, said there is an increase in heat-related animal incidents, such as overheating, heatstroke and paw burns, during the summer months. Recently, she said, a black dog died from heatstroke before it was brought to the clinic after it was accidentally left outside.

French's advice for pet owners: "If it's not safe for you to be outside, it's not safe for your pets to be outside.

"If it's 100 degrees outside and you can't stand to be outside for more than 20 minutes, then you really shouldn't leave your pet out there for more than 20 minutes," she said.

With severe weather like heat or cold advisories, pet owners should be mindful of their pets' acclimation to the weather; some animals can endure the heat or cold more than others. Large pets, dogs with short noses, and animals with thick or dark-colored fur are at higher risk for heat injury, French said. Animals accustomed to air conditioning or overweight also can be more influenced by the heat.

Instead of walking pets in the middle of the day, French recommended doing that in the morning or evening when it's cooler. Owners should also be aware of the ground's temperature.

"We don't realize how hot it is because we have shoes on. But if you try to stand barefoot on the black asphalt, it's uncomfortably hot, and your dog doesn't have an option," she said.

Symptoms of heat-related injuries could be excessive panting or the pet lying down in the middle of a walk and refusing to stand up.

If pet owners recognize these symptoms, they should take their pets inside and let them drink water. If the animal does not return to its normal self, then take it to the veterinarian immediately, French said. If the owner is unsure how severe the heat injury is, he or she should call a veterinarian.

Animals housed outside in "life-threatening health conditions" may be seized by the city, according to city code. In February 2016, the Jefferson City Council made changes to the city code, which states the city could seize an "animal in danger" of a life-threatening health condition if the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory; cold advisory; or severe thunderstorm, tornado or winter storm warning for Cole County and "the animal is being held in violation" of city code.

Capt. Doug Shoemaker of the Jefferson City Police Department said he has not been told of any police calls to rescue an "animal in danger" but that does not mean it has not happened. However, he still urged pet owners to keep their animals inside.

If an animal is left inside a vehicle, the owner should turn on the air conditioning.

"Just because the windows are down doesn't mean there's enough airflow for the animals to survive, and since we're under an excessive heat warning, there's serious concerns as to the health and safety of the animals that are in vehicles," Shoemaker said.

If someone does leave an animal outside, the owner should provide shade and plenty of water for the animal. Owners can also fill small pools with water so the animal can cool off. French said if pet owners are going to be away for a long period of time, they should have someone watch their pets or take them to an indoor animal daycare.

According to city code, a dog shelter must:

Be suitable for the dog's breed, condition, size and age.

Be wind-resistant and moisture-resistant so "it is not easily affected or harmed by water" and is "of suitable size and type to allow the animal to stand, turn around freely, lie in a normal position, and regulate proper body temperature."

Allow for drainage and contain dry bedding inside the shelter.

Allow outside space for the dog to "move around and urinate and defecate away from its confinement."

Be free of potentially harmful materials, such as broken glass, that could harm the dog.

Contain floors, walls and runs that are "of appropriate waterproof material" to allow for cleaning.

If someone sees an animal he or she believes is in danger, Shoemaker said to call the police department. The police and animal control will respond to the area and aid the animal if needed.

Shoemaker said violating this section of the city code could constitute animal abuse.

If the city wants to seize an animal in danger, the city code states the director needs to have probable cause "to believe an owner or person in charge of any animal is in violation" of the ordinance, as well as the animal be "in danger of a life-threatening health condition." The director would need to attempt to notify the owner to allow the opportunity to fix the violation.

If an animal is seized, it may be placed in the Jefferson City Animal Shelter.

The owner of the seized animal may request a hearing with the director to review the decision; the request would need to be made within 10 days of the animal being seized. The director would have 20 days after the hearing to make a decision.

If the owner did not agree with the decision, it could be appealed to the circuit court.