Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office - Roger L. Harris Sheriff issued the following announcement on June 7.
With temperatures rising, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind pet owners to take some extra precautions. The law requires adequate shelter for companion animals which includes protection from “the adverse effects of heat or cold.”
Do not leave your pets in the car! Pets left in hot vehicles are at risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Even if the temperature outside is only 70-degrees, the inside of your car may be as much as 20 degrees hotter. It is against the law to leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle in a manner that endangers the health or safety of the animal. An animal cruelty conviction could result in a jail sentence and/or a fine.
Additional Considerations:
- Check outside water sources frequently, your animals will need to stay hydrated- If you have an outside pet, move them to a shaded area
- If you have pets with a thick coat, consider brushing or getting them a haircut. But DO NOT shave, pets can get sunburned too!
- Pets heat and cool from the bottom up. While out in the sun, try to keep your pets off of hot surfaces like cement or asphalt. Not only can it burn their paws, but it can also increase their body temperature and lead to them overheating.
If you suspect animal neglect or cruelty, please call your local animal control agency as soon as possible. In the event of an emergency, please call 911
Original source can be found here.
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