A Massachusetts Animal Control issues 6th citation for dogs in a hot car this month, some interiors reaching nearly 118 degrees

A Massachusetts Animal Control is growing understandably frustrated as they continue to respond to calls where a pet is left in a hot car.

Thursday, while out on ‘parking lot patrol’, Dedham Animal Control found another dog locked inside a motor vehicle. This time, at BJ’s Wholesale Club. The dog was in the back seat; only the two front windows were open -and just about 6 inches. (The window ajar photo was taken after the incident response).

The temperature inside the vehicle registered in degrees, in varying interior locations, of 99.6, 100.2, 105.8, reaching 117.6!

DAC couldn’t believe that the dog was still conscience and alert.

It is believed that had they not come across this dog when they did, and had BJ’s not been so incredibly responsive with their support and their overhead paging system, this may have ended very tragically.

Animal Control stated that they face additional challenges with dogs inside cars— and that includes circumstances when a dog is not just heat stressed, but also aggressive— whether it be protective, fear-based, and/or resource guarded.

Fortunately, this dog was very upfront-clear with its ‘do not get any closer’ warning signs, and fortunately as well, they were able to quickly locate its owner inside the store, so that he could remove his dog from his car himself and allow the dog to know they were ‘safe’, rendering less additional anxiety (and reactivity) for the dog, during any handling.

DAC later learned that this dog was also not rabies vaccinated- a concern that always presents in cases of aggressive, anxious, injured, ill, lost, protective, and/or frightened dogs-especially presented when good Samaritans try to help ahead of Animal Control response.

Dedham Animal Control issued a statement expressing their frustration.

“So, do people still not get it? Do we not educate enough? Do folks not watch the news? Our local media stations have been talking about dogs inside hot cars almost as much as we have!

“We’ve created a ‘no dogs in hot cars’ campaign, we’ve distributed signs, we’ve verbally advocated, we’ve had kids advocate! We’ve posted incident- induced reminders on social media, often reshared by our local news team partners. We’ve cited state laws and discussed penalties for the mistreatment of animals. Our viewers and supporters have continued to respond to these incidents with anger, compassion, concern, and frustration. Why…. is it still happening?

“It is August 15th, and we have already written citations for 6 dogs in hot car incidents this month alone! We are contemplating adding an incident reporting type category for ‘dogs in hot cars’ because in a pie chart of call types, it’s become a big piece – we have had more calls for dogs in hot cars this summer than we have had for barking dog complaints!”

DAC asks the public to please continue to keep your eyes open and report incidents. “If you see something, say something”.