No Tolerance for Leaving Pets Out in the Heat, Commissioner Warns

Nutley officials want to make sure residents keep their pets cool.

Commissioner Steven Rogers has told the health department to issue summonses to anyone who leaves a dog or other pets in vehicles or outside on hot days without adequate water or shade.

“I have directed health department officials to make checks in parking lots and other areas of town to ensure that dogs and other pets are not left in vehicles,” Rogers said in an email. “Additionally, I directed them to check on dogs that are on short ropes or leases and left in the hot sun.”

Rogers said if we find that cruelty to animal laws are violated, the police will be notified, as well as the ASPCA, and the pet’s owner will receive criminal charges.  

“There is simply no excuse for a person to leave dogs and other pets (and may I add children) in a life threatening situation,” Rogers said. “Anyone who commits such and act, is breaking the law and they will be prosecuted.”

Rogers noted a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day could succumb to heatstroke and suffocation within minutes.  

Rogers urged residents to not leave a dog in a car with the air-conditioning running, saying the air-conditioning compressor will kick off if the engine gets too hot, and instead of cold air flowing from the vents, hot air will flow and within minutes the dog will die.

If animals only have overheated air to breathe, they can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke. An animal's body temperature can climb from a normal 102.5 to deadly levels in only 15 minutes. 

The Nutley Department of Health suggests the following:

• Leave your dog at home on warm days. 
• Bring plenty of fresh drinking water and bowl on trips with your pet,
• Don't let dogs ride loose in pick-up truck beds. The hot metal can burn a dog's paws, the sun and flying debris can hurt the dog, the dog can accidentally be thrown out of the truck if the brakes are suddenly applied, and the dog can jump out if scared or upon seeing something interesting to chase. Instead, use a crate to create a safer space for the dog if you can't fit the dog inside the truck cab.
• Take the dog into the shade, an air conditioned area, or to the vet if you see signs of heat exhaustion, which include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, dark tongue, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness, or lack of coordination. 
• To lower body temperature gradually, give the animal water to drink, place a cold towel or ice pack on the head, neck and chest, and/or immerse the dog in cool (not cold) water. Call your veterinarian.
• If you see a pet in a vehicle on a hot day, take immediate action by calling the police. The police have the capability to enter the vehicle and rescue the pet.

For more information or for a free “Warning Sign” you can post to heighten public awareness of this issue, visit the Nutley Department of Public Affairs at 149 Chestnut St, Nutley, NJ 07110.