Dogs Left in Vehicles Face Extreme Heat Fatigue - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Dogs Left in Vehicles Face Extreme Heat Fatigue

A section of the Bismarck police department has been busy picking car locks.

It's more of a break-out rescue than a break-in.

In the past week alone, Animal Patrol Officers say they've had to free several dogs who were left inside a hot vehicle, without proper ventilation.

For many days this July you have been able to actually see signs of extreme heat, but parked cars often pick up the highest recorded temperatures.

"As you can see on the thermometer it's 103.2, windows are open..." says Ed Woodcock/BPD Animal Patrol Officer.

Now imagine being trapped inside.

"Dogs can't roll the windows down when they're too hot, they can't talk to you they can't sweat, they're trapped in an oven." says Dr. Beth Kraft/Kraft Mobile Veterinary Clinic.

Local veterinarians say a dog can overheat quickly, resulting in irreversible damage.

"Even if you take them into the veterinarian clinic, start them on fluids, brain damage is permanent, blindness is permanent, kidney damage permanent, we're not trying to be unkind by telling you to leave your pets at home, we really have their best interest in mind."

Dr. Beth knows about keeping animals cool in a vehicle.

Her clinic is mobile.

She says even the most loving pet owners should know better.

"I've never seen a pet die of separation anxiety, but we see pets die of heat exhaustion on a regular basis, if you want to spend time with your dog in the car, then just go, have a drive in the car with your pet, you want to go through the drive-through and have ice cream, go to the park, don't go to the grocery store and leave them in the car-- Love them enough to take the extra trip to drop them off at home." she says.

"It's terrible because when you come from my family, we love our pets like as part of the family so it just makes you feel awful for the dogs." says Jacob Hoffman/Dog Owner.

Especially when there's so many ways to keep cool.

"We really don't want to charge anybody, we really just, if your dog is your best friend, why are you subjecting him to these temperatures? If he's got anxiety problems, there's stuff out there for them." says Woodcock.

Woodcock says pet owners can face animal cruelty charges.

They have forwarded three cases to the city attorney to review, in the last week.