Westborough Police Remind Residents To Keep Dogs Out Of Hot Cars

WESTBOROUGH, MA — An early morning call on Tuesday about a dog sitting in a parked car prompted Westborough police to remind residents to keep pet safety in mind, especially with the intense heat the region is facing. The dog was sitting in a car that was parked in the Boston Sports Club parking lot, police said.

Just after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, police were called to the Boston Sports Club parking lot at 1500 Union Street after a concerned passerby noticed a dog sitting in a parked car, alone with the window cracked. Police said the dog was calm and appeared healthy — since it was early in the morning and the heat was not too strong yet, the officer decided to leave the dog put.

The situation in Tuesday call worked in favor of the dog owner and the dogs safety, but Westborough police said that's not always the case. The department gets calls about dogs left in hot cars a few times a week. Not only is leaving your dog in a hot car dangerous to the pup but it's illegal in Massachusetts.

Leaving your dog in a hot car could result in up to a $150 fine for first offenders, up to $300 for a second offense and up to $500 for a third. If police, animal control officers or firefighters called to the incident feel the only way to rescue the dog is to break into the car, they have the right to do so under Massachusetts law. The same goes for concerned citizens who notice a dog in a hot car, but they have to notify 911 first and make sure there's no other way to get the dog out safely.

According to the ASPCA, cars can overheat even when the windows are cracked an inch or two. The ASPCA says young, overweight or elderly dogs as well as dogs with short muzzles or thick or dark colored coats are most at risk for overheating.

On an 85 degree day it only takes ten minutes for the inside of a car to reach 102 degrees and in just 30 minutes the inside of the car can jump from 85 degrees to 12o degrees, according to the ASPCA.

Here are the signs and symptoms of overheating in pets:

• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Increased heart and respiratory rate
• Drooling
• Mild weakness
• Stupor
• Collapse