Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Queen City News
‘We don’t want you to die’: Video shows police rescue dog from hot trailer
By Brooke Williams,
10 hours ago
DENVER ( KDVR ) — A recently released video showed officers rescuing a dog, reaching near-dangerous temperatures, from a locked trailer outside Denver, prompting a stern reminder of heat safety.
Police in Wheat Ridge say they received a tip about a trailer parked in a neighborhood for three days. Officers checked it out and found a pitbull mix inside the trailer.
It was unclear whether the dog had access to water, prompting concern.
“We used an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of various surfaces inside the trailer, varying between 88 to 98 degrees,” the police department said in a post on X.
The dog measured at 100 degrees, police said.
Studies show temperatures inside a vehicle rise quickly and can become deadly for a dog in less than 20 minutes. If it is 85 degrees outside, the National Weather Service reports that the inside of the car will be 104 degrees after 10 minutes and 119 degrees after 20 minutes. Cracking open the windows makes little to no difference.
The police officers got into the trailer to rescue the dog using a crowbar to pry open the door.
“We’re here to help you, we don’t want you to die,” one officer said during the process. “I don’t know where your owner is but I’m mad at them.”
The police department said the dog was scared, but with careful coordination, officers were able to get him in a kennel and took him to the Foothills Animal Shelter.
“We’re sure you wouldn’t want to be stuck in a trailer with 100-degree heat. Don’t do that to your pets,” WRPD warned.
Police issued a notice of violation for rabies control, cruelty or inhumane treatment and a notice of impoundment to the owner, and an investigation is ongoing.
There have been dozens of reports of dogs being left in hot cars already this summer.
Last year, Denver Animal Protection received 450 calls, and so far this year inspectors have already responded to 130 calls.
Keep animals safe from heat
Signs of a dog suffering from a heat-related illness include heavy panting, excessive drooling, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness, bloody nose, diarrhea, vomiting, dry, deep red or purple tongue, hemorrhages in gums or under the skin and body temperatures over 104 degrees, according to the Humane Society .
The Humane Society recommends seeking veterinary care as soon as possible, even if the dog appears to be improving. In the meantime, you can provide care with these steps from the Humane Society:
Move the dog to a cool area
Apply cool, not cold, water or soak in a cool bath
Place cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, armpits, paws, ear flaps, groin area
Direct a fan on wet areas to speed evaporative cooling
Offer fresh, cool water if the dog is alert and wants to drink, but do not force it
While laws can vary by state about whether you can break into a hot vehicle to rescue a pet or person, authorities encourage concerned citizens to contact them first.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0