MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- When I was 13-years-old I almost killed my dog Mugsy. My loving and obedient 2-year-old pitbull/bull terrior mix ran beside me as I rode my bike in 80-degree heat for approximately 15 minutes before she collapsed. I had no idea that she would get overheated so quickly or that she needed water before we returned home. A woman approached us and offered to drive us home. After that, I was more attentive to the signs of heat injury in my pets.
The California Penal Code against animal cruelty states that every person who maliciously and intentionally maims, tortures, or wounds or kills a living animal is guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment
or by a fine of not more than $20,000, or both.
The operative word in the code is “intentional.”
Californians are for the most part very good to their dogs. There are kill-free dog and cat shelters, legislation for the welfare of animals, dog parks and dog-friendly beaches. But too often I see people unaware of the harm they are causing when walking their dogs on hot pavement or not carrying
water for them at the beach or park. If the sidewalk is too hot for you to walk barefoot, then it’s too hot for your dog’s feet. If you’re thirsty, chances are your dog is thirsty, too.
The responsibility of an innocent animal’s
welfare lies with its owner. Animals can’t tell you what they need; you must read the signs. The signs telling you what to do for your pet are clear if you know what to look for.
When Molly, the depot mascot, goes to weekly recruit graduation ceremonies, her handler brings her water bottle along. She walks in the grass or rides in a scooter until she must walk onto the hot parade deck. Like any good dog, she is here to please, and will do whatever is asked of her.
Dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke than humans. They don’t sweat like people do. Instead, they cool their bodies by panting.
Heat stroke happens when heat gain exceeds the body’s ability to dissipate heat. A normal body temperature for a dog is about 101 to 102 degrees. If their temperature
reaches 106, they are in danger of brain damage, organ failure or death, so reducing body temperature quickly is important.
Symptoms of heat stroke are rapid, frantic
panting, wide eyes, thick saliva, bright red tongue, vomiting, staggering, diarrhea or coma.
Immediately try to cool down the dog and take him to the vet right away. Hose him off, use fans, sponge the groin and abdomen area and wet his tongue.
For outside dogs, provide shade, ventilation,
a wading pool and cool drinking water. Make sure water containers are large enough to supply water at all times and are secured so they can’t be turned over. Ensure tied dogs can’t wind their leashes around something, preventing access to water. Allow dogs who are unaccustomed to warm weather several days to acclimate. And never exercise your dog on hot days.
I recently had the chance to return the favor when someone helped me and Mugsy out so many years ago. A teenager was walking his pit bull on the sidewalk from his house to a gas station where I was having my truck’s oil changed about 5 miles up the road. It was about 100 degrees outside and the dog was gingerly walking on the front of his feet, and panting for air. I gave him the rest of my water and asked the manager if the dog could enter the air conditioned shop. When my car was done, I asked the boy if he planned to walk his dog back and he said ‘yes.’ I convinced him that the dog was in no shape to walk back and he agreed to ride to his home with me.
I believe that he truly cared for his dog but didn’t know just how overheated she was. Hopefully from now on he will recognize
the signs and offer assistance if he sees someone else unintentionally abusing their dog.