CLEVELAND — With temperatures expected to reach the upper 80s on Wednesday, the Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) is asking residents to be vigilant when letting their pets play outside for a long period of time.
“Our animal friends wear fur coats year-round and cannot sweat like humans, so they have difficulty cooling off. This means they can quickly succumb to heatstroke, organ failure, or even death,” the APL said.
Some tips for pet owners on hot days:
- Provide plenty of water and shade
- Save long walks for the early morning, late evening
- Place your palm on the ground to make sure it’s not too for your dog’s paws
Citizens who want to file a report about suspected animal abuse or neglect should call the APL’s Humane Investigations Hotline at 216-377-1630.
If you see an animal left unattended in the car, the APL encourages you to locate the owner or police.
Ohio has a law that will protect rescuers from civil liability when taking required steps before breaking into a locked vehicle to save an animal from imminent risk or heat-related death. Rescuers must first try to contact the police, fire department, or 911 before taking further steps to rescue a dog from a hot vehicle.
