Let’s make sure the dog who died of heatstroke in a truck in Augusta in August isn’t just another statistic but the last in our state to suffer this horrific, entirely preventable death. The other dog was thankfully found alive, but even with emergency treatment, the mortality rate for animals in this condition is still around 50%. It’s a sobering reminder of the dangers of leaving a dog in a parked vehicle.

So far this year, at least 140 dogs and cats have reportedly died from heat-related causes, according to PETA, and the actual number is likely far higher as deaths often go unreported. Many of these animals were left in vehicles for “just a few minutes” — but that’s all it takes for a parked car to become a death trap.

On a 70-degree day, the temperature inside a vehicle can soar to 99 degrees within minutes, even in the shade with the windows down. That’s high enough to cause seizures, brain swelling, organ failure and death. Leaving the car running isn’t safe either. Dogs have turned off the air conditioning, shut off the engine or locked their guardians out. It isn’t worth the risk.

Experts urge anyone who sees a dog left in a hot car to call authorities immediately and have the owner paged. If no one responds quickly, take action. Get the animal out of the car and into air conditioning or shade, offer water to drink, pour cool water over their body and wait for help to arrive.

Kate Fontes
Hampden