Latest news with #petSafety
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Windows down, air on: How to keep your pets safe in vehicles this summer
The summer weather is coming in hot this season and it's important to remember the safety of all our loved ones during this time, including our four-legged friends. Every year, dozens of pets die or receive heat-related injuries from being left or forgotten in sweltering hot vehicles during summer months, according to PETA. Animal safety is especially important during the hotter seasons because they do not cool down the way we do as humans. Dogs and cats pant, rather than sweat, to cool themselves off, meaning their organ systems can get overwhelmed very quickly according to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) 'Cats and dogs are not able to perspire like humans are,' said Brian Carroll, community outreach manager for the Erie Humane Society. 'In order for them to cool down they have to be able to have water or be able to pant and get to cooler air.' Additionally, heat inside the vehicle can rise much faster in temperature and will be significantly hotter than outside of the vehicle. In fact, vehicles can become 20 degrees hotter in just a few minutes. 'Even if you run in the store for 10 minutes, the temperature inside your vehicle can raise rapidly and be over 100 degrees in no time — even if it's 65 to 70 degrees and sunny,' says Carroll. 'The warmer it gets the quicker that it heats up.' Millcreek Township Animal Enforcement Officer William Sandstrom says the department gets on average about three to five calls a week regarding animals left behind in vehicles during the summer months. In the state of Pennsylvania, the Motor Vehicle Extreme Heat Protection Act, also known as, the 'Hot Car Bill,' signed into effect by Gov. Tom Wolf in 2018, states that law enforcement officers and other public safety professionals have the authority to immediately remove a dog or cat from a vehicle if they have a reasonable belief the animal is in imminent danger. With the use of a digital laser thermometer, Officer Sandstrom is able to take a reading of the temperature of the inside of the vehicle to assess the imminence of the situation for the animals inside. Always recorded on a body camera, this may become relevant if the situation makes it to court. Barks and Brews: Brewery offers space and partnership to new dog park business in downtown Erie The "Hot Car Bill" does not necessarily give citizens the authority to immediately enter in these scenarios. Both public safety officials and bystanders have a set of procedures they must follow before considering entering the vehicle. 'You have to make a good faith effort to locate the owner of said animal in the hot car,' said Sandstrom. Only law enforcement officers and public safety officials are explicitly covered under this act, legally allowing them to enter the vehicle and assist any animal in distress protecting them from any liability. The officer or public safety official must also leave behind a note on or in the motor vehicle stating why the entry was made, the name of the person and their employer, a telephone number and where the owner can go to pick up their pet, if possible. If you see an animal in a hot car showing signs of distress or a possible heat-related injury, first, take note of the make and model of the vehicle, then enter any nearby businesses to locate the owner. If you are unable to find the owner of the vehicle, contact the local authorities or call 911. Although it is best to wait for emergency personnel, in dire situations, after taking the proper precautions, bystanders may take the necessary steps to remove the dog or cat from the vehicle, following the same procedure as an officer or public safety official, leaving a note with the proper information. Immediately get the animal to a cool place, with access to water and take it to a nearby vet for further direction. Officer Sandstrom warns about entering vehicles as a bystander, stating some animals may become violent with unknown persons entering the vehicle. 'You could have an aggressive animal inside that vehicle, so you have to have the upmost caution,' Sandstrom warns. More: Erie police officer, police dog escape serious injury in May 31 crash on city's east side Pet owners who are accused and found guilty of intentional negligence may be sentenced to imprisonment, have to pay a hefty fine or both, according to Pa. state law. Both animal and public safety professionals recommend leaving your animals at home, especially if they do not have to come along with you on your outing. 'We always ask that if you can leave your animal at home, it is best to leave them at home,' Carroll said. When you must bring along your four-legged friend, make sure to park in a shady area, crack a window, keep the car running with the air conditioning on, and make sure that your pet has access to water while you are briefly away from your vehicle. Contact Ammiela Agayev at aagayev@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA authorities encourage owners to leave pets at home during heat
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How to keep your dog safe and calm during Fourth of July fireworks
The Fourth of July weekend will see Americans across the nation join family and friends to celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. For dogs, however, it can be a time of noise and stress. According to the American Kennel Club, Independence Day sees a surge in pet runaways, making it one of the most dangerous holidays for dogs. With patriotic celebrations fast approaching, there are some ways to keep dogs safe – particularly if it's a puppy's first Fourth of July weekend. Firstly, if you can skip bringing your dog to a fireworks show, skip it. Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans and while some dogs are great with loud noises, others might find the thunderous fizz of a firecracker overwhelming. Fireworks, thunderstorms and other sharp sounds are behind nearly one in five lost pets, an American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals survey suggests. Trembling, pacing, drooling and digging at doors may all be signs that your pet is in discomfort, according to research from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. But if you are heading out, pack the essentials: treats, water, a familiar blanket, waste bags, and a chew toy to help soothe restlessness. Exercising your dog earlier in the day will likely pay dividends when late-night celebrations kick into gear. Take them on a lengthy walk; play hide and seek; work on some skills and tricks; give them part of their meal in a frozen Kong or other toy. These are all ways to help tire them out and prepare them for a more comfortable stay in their kennel. That brings us on to the next point: use a kennel! If you have access, a kennel can be moved to the quietest room in the house. It can also be covered up with a blanket, making it feel cozy with the bonus of keeping extra noise out. Playing music or switching on the TV may also help drown out the noise of fireworks. If a dog still shows signs of unease or fear, it's important to remain confident and not panic-coddle them. Instead, stay close and speak in a calm, soothing voice to reinforce that they are safe. Offering a treat when fireworks go off can help your pet associate loud noises with something positive. Giving them treats earlier in the day before festivities start can help reward calm behavior.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
How to keep your dog safe and calm during Fourth of July fireworks
The Fourth of July weekend will see Americans across the nation join family and friends to celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. For dogs, however, it can be a time of noise and stress. According to the American Kennel Club, Independence Day sees a surge in pet runaways, making it one of the most dangerous holidays for dogs. With patriotic celebrations fast approaching, there are some ways to keep dogs safe – particularly if it's a puppy's first Fourth of July weekend. Firstly, if you can skip bringing your dog to a fireworks show, skip it. Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than humans and while some dogs are great with loud noises, others might find the thunderous fizz of a firecracker overwhelming. Fireworks, thunderstorms and other sharp sounds are behind nearly one in five lost pets, an American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals survey suggests. Trembling, pacing, drooling and digging at doors may all be signs that your pet is in discomfort, according to research from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. But if you are heading out, pack the essentials: treats, water, a familiar blanket, waste bags, and a chew toy to help soothe restlessness. Exercising your dog earlier in the day will likely pay dividends when late-night celebrations kick into gear. Take them on a lengthy walk; play hide and seek; work on some skills and tricks; give them part of their meal in a frozen Kong or other toy. These are all ways to help tire them out and prepare them for a more comfortable stay in their kennel. That brings us on to the next point: use a kennel! If you have access, a kennel can be moved to the quietest room in the house. It can also be covered up with a blanket, making it feel cozy with the bonus of keeping extra noise out. Playing music or switching on the TV may also help drown out the noise of fireworks. If a dog still shows signs of unease or fear, it's important to remain confident and not panic-coddle them. Instead, stay close and speak in a calm, soothing voice to reinforce that they are safe. Offering a treat when fireworks go off can help your pet associate loud noises with something positive. Giving them treats earlier in the day before festivities start can help reward calm behavior.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How to calm your dog during Fourth of July fireworks, according to a vet
The Fourth of July may be a celebration for humans, but for dogs, it's often a night of sheer terror. As fireworks light up the sky, the loud bangs and flashing lights can send pets into a panic, leading to trembling, hiding, or even dangerous attempts to escape. Dog owners on TikTok are urging others to take action before the festivities begin, sharing simple tips and tricks that could help keep your furry friend calm this Independence Day. One pet owner, who goes by Calypso the Pit on TikTok, posted a video about the precautions she was taking for her pup, Calypso. The dog mom placed a thick, tight purple sleeve over Calypso's head to trap down her ears. Despite the canine looking less than pleased by the head piece, her owner took it a step further. Next, she put giant blue headphones over the Pitbull's ears to ensure no firework noises were getting through. A veterinary hospital also shared a video with some advice ahead of the summer holiday. It suggested creating a 'safe space' for your pet away from windows and doors. This area can have their bed along with their favorite toys so they feel at their most comfortable. 'It's also important to close curtains and windows to minimize visual and auditory stimulation,' they advised. Keep them occupied by playing with them or having them chew on their favorite treat. To add more serenity to their space, you can play calming music or white noise to drown out the sound of the fireworks. Other pet parents recommended leaving the TV on at a moderate volume to also mask the loud booms. The hospital also suggested getting your pet's energy out before the night festivities begin so they're more likely to be in a calm state. If you know your dog has severe anxiety, you can also talk to your vet about sedation or anxiety medication ahead of the holiday. Many other pet owners also suggested prepping your pets by playing fireworks noises for them from your phone in advance. There are videos on YouTube that you can set to a low volume throughout the day. This allows them to become accustomed to the loud noise and not get as spooked when they hear it on the Fourth. Keeping your dog company and giving them gentle, soothing pets will also put them at ease.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Have fireworks gotten out of hand in the Fox Cities? Tell us your thoughts in this short survey
Wendy Szczepanski arrived at Neenah City Hall with a simple request for police and elected officials: Enforce the fireworks law that's already on the books. Szczepanski said her dog, a Cocker Spaniel named Luke, died of a massive heart attack on July 4, 2024, when an illegal M-80 firecracker exploded in her Neenah neighborhood. She's on a campaign to prevent any such reoccurrence. "I don't want to let this drop," Szczepanski said. "I understand that this probably won't be effective for this Fourth of July, but I'm darn hoping it will for 2026." Wisconsin's fireworks law states that possessing or using fireworks is illegal without a permit. Police define fireworks as anything that explodes or leaves the ground on its own power. Opinions on fireworks, though, are diverse and divisive. A 2018 online survey written by Menasha police found that 58% of the nearly 1,300 respondents favored additional laws or fines to stop people from lighting off illegal fireworks. Conversely, 55% rated the level of concern for their safety or property due to fireworks as "a little" or "not at all." A vast majority of the survey respondents were from Menasha, Neenah, Oshkosh, Fox Crossing and Appleton. Szczepanski said a lot of people are reluctant to complain to police about fireworks because they're afraid of retaliation from their neighbors or because they know police won't enforce the law. Neenah police have written only two citations for fireworks violations in the past two years. Both were for repeat offenses. So how big of a problem are fireworks in the Fox Cities? Have opinions changed since the 2018 survey? The Post-Crescent invites residents and visitors to share their thoughts by filling out the following fireworks survey. Responses will be collected through July 10, and the findings will be used in future reporting. Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@ Follow him on X at @DukeBehnke. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Have fireworks gotten out of hand? Share your thoughts in this survey
