Coco in Colerain, Yale in Kelford, Rusty, Sparky, Remy and Duchess, all Bertie County canines, have PETA fieldworkers to thank this week for possibly saving their lives.
Star and her puppies were not so lucky. When Duchess was found, her water temperature was 98 degrees.
With temperatures soaring and the heat index hitting triple digits, Bertie County canines are in serious heat deprivation trouble. That is the word from PETA Local Affairs Director Rachel Bellis and fieldworkers who monitor the county’s canine population on a daily basis.
The fieldworkers report they continue to find animals left outside, unshaded and completely neglected.
On Monday, Bertie County Animal Shelter attendant Josh Nussbaumer showed concern for the animals in the shelter as temperatures soared to triple digits on the heat index.
“We are full now and there are no shelters in the area that can help us because they are all full,” said Nussbaumer. ”I just gave everyone water and filled the pool. We’ve got the fans going full speed.”
Bellis is no stranger to the Bertie County canine problem. Bellis continues to stress the need for the county commissioners to pass ordinances that protect dogs from neglect and owners from tethering them. She is an advocate of a Bertie County No-Tethering Ordinance for the past two years.
Rich Square commissioners in neighboring Northampton County recently passed a no-tethering ordinance and PETA is thankful.
In what PETA is framing as “a major victory for dogs,” Rich Square Mayor Victoria Newcombe and town commissioners voted unanimously to pass the new ordinance prohibiting leaving dogs chained or tethered unattended outside. The ordinance requires guardians to provide animals with adequate food, water, shelter and veterinary care, according to PETA.
The ordinance will go into effect in October.
“Dogs in Rich Square will be spared a lifetime of isolation outside at the end of a chain, where they’re often denied companionship, exercise and sometimes even food and water,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA stands ready to help residents comply with this lifesaving ordinance and urges other communities to follow Rich Square’s lead by banning the cruel practice of keeping dogs chained outside like old bicycles.”
Bellis’ research brings to light the abundant problem the county has with neglectful animal owners.
“Coco, the Colerain PitBull, never had its collar loosened as she grew and it became deeply, painfully embedded in her neck. Yale was infested with fleas, was underweight and had no food or water. Yale’s owner told the fieldworkers that the other dog on the property, Star, had recently died as did all her puppies”, explained Bellis.
Bertie County Commissioners say they cannot consider any dog ordinances as they say enforcement would be costly.
Bellis and PETA fieldworkers continue to monitor Bertie County canine daily and bring those results to the commissioners monthly
“Bearing in mind Bertie County’s triple-digit heat index and excessive heat warning for humans who can sweat, whereas dogs are unable to perspire to reduce their body temperature, PETA expects to find many more dogs like Duchess, whose bowl of water had reached 98 degrees, and Remy, who was found desperate, in heat distress and tangled on his tether, unable to reach shade or a bowl of water, which he didn’t have,” said Bellis. “There is no question that some dogs will die and no one will notify authorities; it’ll just be dig-a-hole.
“PETA has urged the board of commissioners to take immediate life-saving steps to protect dogs, including prohibiting unattended tethering and implementing an emergency alert system to warn county residents about the dangers of leaving dogs outside, so far without success,” Bellis added.
PETA urges people to be on the lookout for animals who are in need of assistance, including those who may be experiencing heat stroke symptoms and advises everyone to take precautions.
Walking dogs during cooler parts of the day and limiting the time they spend outside in the heat helps their temperament. Before walks, touch the pavement to ensure that it won’t burn dogs’ foot pads.
In hot weather, walk only in the shade or on earth or grass. And finally, according to PETA, always make sure animals have an abundance of water.
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