German shepherds overheat in car, die - Page 1

This is sad and nothing the owner of the dogs is saying makes any sense. This happend in Michigan

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/20349992/detail.html?dsq=14643263#comment-14643263

http://macombdaily.com/articles/2009/08/11/news/srv0000006085005.txt#blogcomments


http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?s=e477307f245be78d3f4fb7490d84b8a4&threadid=292825

http://lcgsd.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=waitingattherainbowbridge&action=display&thread=1234


http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129917608108

WTF?  I can't imagine leaving my dog in a car, alone in heat of the day for even a minute!  Has anyone not ever sat in a car for just a minute and felt how hot it gets and how quickly?  I am dumbstruck at this woman's stupidity and the fact she is trying to blame someone else for her boneheaded move.  I'm sure she is devastated but cripes, it's hard to feel sorry for someone so friggin' stupid!

I don't usually reply to any of the crap that is on this baord, but I happen to know the people this happened too, and I think before going and verbally bashing someone on a public forum you should make sure that you have all the facts first!!!!

Please excuse my spelling, I was a little heated while typing

I have always been embarrassed by the fact that I am so paranoid  about  someone messing with my dogs when they are crated in the car, I worry about someone  opening the crates and letting them out, or stealing them  crate and all,  that I don't leave them unsupervised in the car for more than a couple of minutes, but I never thought of someone so evil, they would close a window like that.  This is just chilling.  My heart goes out to the  dog's owners, I can only imagine how devestated they must be. 

I too am very aware of how quickly a car can heat up, and it is lethal.  If there is anyone who is not aware, PLEASE take a moment and look at this study.  For example, even at  80F/27C  in 40 minutes the temperature of  a parked car can and will rise to over 120F/49C EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS CRACKED: 

ggweather.com/heat/#study

VEHICLE HEAT STUDY

Study of temperature rise in enclosed cars on 16 dates between May 16 and Aug. 8, 2002.
Ambient temperature were between 72 and 96 degrees F.
Dark Blue mid-side sedan with medium grey interior
Also tested with windows “cracked”
click to enlarge images

CONCLUSIONS

Average elapsed time and temperature rise
10 minutes ~ 19 deg F
20 minutes ~ 29 deg F
30 minutes ~ 34 deg F
60 minutes ~ 43 deg F
1 to 2 hours ~ 45-50 deg F
“Cracking” the windows had little effect
Vehicle interior color probably biggest factor
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously the 2 GSDs were in a car with the window slid all the way open, which is different from only cracked windows.  Unfortunately as has been demonstrated by what happened to her dogs, we just cannot leave our dogs in our cars unattended for more than a couple of minutes - if ever.  There really are evil doers afloat.

We do leave our dogs in the car on occasion, but we leave it running and locked and if we can't get a seat in the restaurant where we can see the car, we go elsewhere.   How horrible for the owners of these dogs.

Shrabe,

I'm am truly sorry about what happened to your friends and their dogs, truly I am.  Some sick bastard should pay for what he has done.  But, I stand by my comment.  I have a Dodge Dakota pickup with the exact same kind of topper with the same exact type of windows.  I have on occasion left my older GSD in that pickup in "cooler" weather with the windows closed but never in the heat because even with those windows open it gets very hot in that topper.  It is like an oven in there.  If I need to go somewhere that would require me to leave my dog in the car, she says home.  As much as I enjoy her company, I am not going to subject her to that kind of misery.  During the hot summer days like we are experiencing now, we take my car so she can enjoy the A/C or she stays home.  Simple as that. 

Sueincc ,

I agree about being paranoid that someone would steal or harm my dog.  Had Shrabe's friend been in a position to watch the truck, then she would have seen someone messing with it and been able to rescue the dogs. The screens on those topper windows can easily be pushed out, either by the dog trying to get to someone or a person wanting to get to the dog.  It is not a secure system, although having the dogs in crates would help as far as slowing someone down that was set on getting to the dog.  Those windows are big enough for most people and GSDs to easily crawl through.  And since my dogs were socialized and everyone is their new best friend, I have no doubt they would gladly go along on a new adventure with just anybody.  If I were to need to leave my dog in a vehicle, it would be only for a brief moment and I am going to be where I can see her or I will take her home.  I try not to take her anywhere where she is not welcome.  It's just not worth it to me to take the risk.

Okie,

Please remember the police dogs that died when left in a running car.  The car can overheat and shut off and despite all your good intentions, you could end up with the same results.  Unless you are watching that car so close you can notice it has stopped running or that your dogs are in distress, I would not even do that.  If we are traveling with the dog and need to stop somewhere for a potty break, a snack or whatever.  We take turns and we do drive-thru or carry-out.  Someone is always with the dog.  Always or she stays home. 

I'm not trying to come off as holier than thou.  I just can't believe there are people out there that are not using their heads especially considering the world we live in today.  I'm just trying to say USE YOUR HEADS PEOPLE.  Don't leave your dogs in hot cars and don't leave them where you can't see them.  

Deb 

 

Please remember the police dogs that died when left in a running car







Right.  That's why one of us goes out and checks, at least to stick head out and make sure car is still running, every 10-15 minutes even with the car in sight.

In many states it is actually against the law to leave an animal unattended in a car if conditions endanger the animal.  In California for example:  (California Penal Code Section 597.7)  www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/05-06/bill/sen/sb_1801-1850/sb_1806_bill_20060922_chaptered.html

It does not specify any particular temperature but it does say: 

"Moderately warm temperatures outside can quickly lead to
deadly temperatures inside a closed car, for example, within one hour an outside temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit can cause unhealthful conditions inside a vehicle that can adversely affect the health, safety, or well-being of an animal."


It then goes on to say:

"SEC. 2. Section 597.7 is added to the Penal Code, to read 597.7. (a) No person shall leave or confine an animal in any
unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation,.............."



So this tells me that even if it's 72 F / 22 C, a person could conceivably  find themselves in violation when leaving their dog unattended for more than a few minutes in a vehicle in California.  I found this list of states that have enacted similar legislation,  but it looks like it is from 2008, so it might not be up-to-date.

It's like the PETA attacks @ dog shows... where they "Liberate"  those "poor abused show dogs" from their crates... and many have been liberated right onto highways where they died, or vanished never to be seen again.  I ended up padlocking my crates, and even chaining several together when @ shows... even the 10 minutes I was in the ring could have provided those wacko's a chance to harm my dogs... 

What the hell would posess a passerby to shut a slider window seeing two crated dogs inside is beyond me.

*sigh*