Pet Owners Accused of Leaving Dogs in Hot Car
posted 6:04 pm Thu August 09, 2007 - Washington
Investigators say the two small animals were left for more than a half-hour in a car at the corner of 6th and G Streets, NW. The outside air temperature was in the triple digits at the time, and experts say it could have been 110 degrees inside the vehicle. Animal control officer Ann Russell rescued the dogs with the help of D.C. Police.
"They were both panting heavily," said Russell. "There was thick saliva from both dogs which is a typical sign of heat stress-related injuries." The Chihuahua and Lhaso apso were taken to Friendship Animal Hospital where they both had above normal temperatures. They dogs were treated with IV fluids and nursed back to health.
Veterinarians say the dogs, Nigel and Belle, are doing much better.
The owners are in town visiting from Indiana. Authorities say while the couple made housing accommodations for themselves, they neglected to make arrangements for their pets.
They now each face one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.
"An animal should never be left in the car at any time," said Dr. Ray Phillip, a veterinarian at Friendship Animal Hospital. "You should think of an animal like your children. You wouldn't want to leave your children for any length of time. In this weather right now it's very irresponsible because they can get overheated in minutes in the hot car."
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