CALIFORNIA -- The Alameda County District Attorney’s office has charged an Oakland woman with two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty for allegedly leaving her dog tied to a pole in the sun without access to water or shade. The victim, a black and white pit bull, suffered from severe heat stroke and died.
On 29 Apr 12, Oakland Animal Services, a unit of the Oakland Police Department, responded to a call regarding a dog in distress. When they arrived, they found the dog in critical condition – panting heavily, incoherent and unable to stand.
On 29 Apr 12, Oakland Animal Services, a unit of the Oakland Police Department, responded to a call regarding a dog in distress. When they arrived, they found the dog in critical condition – panting heavily, incoherent and unable to stand.
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| Victim dog earlier in the day. |
The Animal Control Officers rushed the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic where staff immediately began trying to reduce the dog’s temperature which had risen to a dangerous 111 F. Sadly, the dog had suffered severe brain damage and could not be saved.
Oakland Animal Control Officers rescued four additional dogs from potential heat stroke situations in the last three weeks. Oakland Animal Services urges people to remember that animals, like people, can quickly suffer from the effects of overheating.
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| Same dog, when Animal Control arrived. |
On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. And, anytime a dog is left outside, it should have protection from the sun and plenty of fresh, cool water.
It is also illegal in California now to leave a dog tied to a stationary object for more than three hours.
(Oakland Animal Services - May 18, 2012)
