As temperatures rise, so do animal safety violations in the city and county, according to Columbus-Lowndes Animal Control officers.
From locking pets in hot cars to leaving dogs chained without shade, most of the violations could be easily avoided by using common sense, said Animal Control Officer Bobby Reeves.
“Just think about what a person would need,” he said. “That”s pretty much what an animal will need.”
Reeves and the other two animal control officers, Robert Davis and Van Smith, said one of the most common problems was people leaving their dogs chained without shade.
“Everybody”s in a hurry these days, they just don”t think about it,” Davis said. “But how would you feel if someone left you in the sun?”
Instead, leave the dog tied to a tree, or in another shady spot, with its water nearby and out of the sun.
“Animals can have strokes, just like humans, from heat exhaustion,” Davis said.
Another common calls is from people who see pets locked in vehicles. Although the animals are usually only there for a few minutes, owners should always make sure to roll down the windows to provide a strong air supply and not leave for more than a few minutes, officers said.
Although most dogs can go several days without water, pet owners should make sure their animals” water source is in the shade and far enough away that they won”t knock it over, said Smith.
For the extreme cases, officers can issue citations for neglect and cruelty, and can even seize an animal if its life is in danger. The charges are only misdemeanors now, although legislation is in the works to strengthen punishments.
As Vicki Greenhaw walked her Miniature Schnauzer, Swayzey, down Fourth Street South on Thursday, she lamented that animal cruelty laws weren”t stronger.
Greenhaw also said she wished violators of animal laws could feel the pain they cause.
“I think somebody should do that to them,” she said. “Leave them chained in the sun without water and see how they like it.”
PROTECT YOUR PETS
Here are some tips from Columbus-Lowndes Animal Control officers to protect your animals during the summer:
· Make sure your animal can get to shade.
· Make sure your animal”s water is not sitting out in the sun and change it out every few days. Also, keep the water far enough away so the animal”s chain will not wrap around and overturn the water supply.
· Don”t leave your animal in your car for more than a few minutes and always make sure the windows are rolled down enough to provide steady airflow.
· If you see an animal being improperly taken care of, call the Animal Control office at 662-327-4080.
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