On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 23, we received a call from a concerned citizen who was at River Park shopping center in Fresno. The reporting party stated there was a female black and white Shih Tzu locked inside a vehicle on the lower level of the parking structure on Nees and Blackstone Avenues. Though the windows were cracked open and the vehicle was in the shade, there was no water and the dog was panting excessively.
One of our Animal Control Officers immediately responded to the scene and located the dog. Luckily, the window was ajar enough to safely rescue the dog. He noted that the interior of the car had reached 90 degrees and the outside temperature was 100 degrees (yes – even in the shade!). Since the owners were unable to be located, the dog was transported to CCSPCA and a note was left on the vehicle. The owners reclaimed their dog later that day.
Though this dog was able to be saved before her condition became fatal, many pets die from scenarios like this one. Please do NOT leave your pet in a locked vehicle. Even if the windows are down, the car will retain insufferable heat. Additionally, this is against the law (per California Penal Code 597.7) and you could be charged with a felony. If you see a pet locked in a vehicle, call CCSPCA immediately at (559) 233-7722 before it becomes too late.