Every summer, as temperatures rise, so does the danger of companion animals dying because they are carelessly left in a hot car.
A news release from PETA says, while humans cool themselves by relying on an extensive system of sweat glands, dogs and other animals have a harder time staying cool, leaving them extremely vulnerable to heatstroke.
Since last year, there have been at least 63 hot weather-related animal deaths- and these are just the ones that have been reported. Most aren’t.
On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 100 degrees in just minutes; and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
A dog trapped inside can succumb to heatstroke in mere minutes, even if the vehicle is parked in the shade with the windows slightly open.