IN Millcreek Summer 2021 | Page 18

SUMMER SAFETY FOR PETS IN VEHICLES

WARNING : HOT TEMPERATURES CAN BE FATAL TO YOUR DOG

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association , hundreds of pets die every year from heat exhaustion because they are left inside a parked vehicle . The excuses we ’ ve all heard range from , “ Oh , I ’ ll only be in the store for a few minutes ” to “ I cracked the windows for him ”. That fact is most people simply do not realize how quickly the temperature in their car rises while they are away . It is not uncommon for the temperature inside your car to rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes . A look at the chart below shows you that even on a 70 degree day , which most people do not consider a hot day , the inside car temperature can rise over 40 degrees in less than an hour ! These rapid temperature changes put your pet at serious risk of illness or even death . Studies have also shown that cracking the window makes almost no difference at all . The best advice is “ love ‘ em and leave ‘ em !” Your pet is better off staying at home where it is safe and comfortable for them until you come home .

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MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP NEWS

Millcreek

Elapsed
Outside Air Temperature ( F )
Time
70
75
80
85
90
95
0 minutes
70
75
80
85
90
95
10 minutes
89
94
99
104
109
114
20 minutes
99
104
109
114
119
124
30 minutes
104
109
114
119
124
129
40 minutes
108
113
118
123
128
133
50 minutes
111
116
121
126
131
136
60 minutes
113
118
123
128
133
138
> 1hour
115
120
125
130
135
140
Courtesy Jan Null , CCM ; Department of Geosciences , San Francisco State University
16 MILLCREEK
ESTIMATED VEHICLE INTERIOR AIR TEMPERATURE V . ELASPED TIME
Under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code Section 5511 ( c )( 1 ), Cruelty To Animals , it is unlawful to leave your pet inside a hot vehicle and could cost the owner or caregiver a fine of $ 50 to $ 750 , or imprisonment of up to 90 days , or both .