Plymouth Rock Assurance: New Tools Keep Pets Out of Hot Cars
Posted by Michael McDermott on Tue, Jul 31, 2012 @ 07:59 AM
It only takes a few, deadly minutes – studies show that the temperature in your car can zoom up 34 degrees in just a half hour – even on a mild day – creating conditions hot enough to kill or seriously injure your pet.
A recent Associated Press article highlighted how good Samaritans, temperature guns and tougher laws in some states are helping raise awareness about the dangers of leaving animals unattended in cars.
Don’t even think about it. While we’re talking about pets here and not humans, it bears repeating: don’t leave your children alone in a vehicle. Ever. Even if it’s just to run to an errand for a few minutes. Even if you leave the AC on while you’re away.
There are no annual, nationwide statistics on pet deaths or injuries caused by overheating because many different agencies (police, fire, animal control, shelters, veterinarians, etc.) handle these animal emergency rescue calls. But, agencies say calls are on the rise because of increased awareness, which is an encouraging sign.
Los Angeles Police Department’s Animal Cruelty Task Force has been swamped this summer with calls about pets stuck in cars. They have seven cases pending prosecution.
As of 2010, fourteen states have laws that prohibit leaving an animal alone in a vehicle if it endangers their life. Other states handle cases under animal cruelty statutes.
Wet, then vet. Heatstroke affects all of the body’s organs. As a dog overheats, it will become anxious and start pacing, further increasing its body temperature. As heat starts to affect the dog’s brain, it will lose balance, stumble, and become unconscious and die if help doesn’t come in time.
If you are able to rescue an overheated animal, use water to cool it off. Otherwise, call 911 immediately. Depending on the dog’s condition, the police or the accompanying tow truck driver can break a window, grab the pet, write a citation or issue a warning if and when the car’s owner shows up.
Headquartered in Boston, Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation provides auto insurance to personal and commercial auto insurance customers in MA and CT. Plymouth Rock is the flagship carrier of The Plymouth Rock Group of Companies, which together write and manage over $1 billion in auto and homeowner’s insurance throughout the Northeast.