EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Triple-digit temperatures across the Borderland are driving an increase in heat-related calls to El Paso Animal Services, with officers responding to reports of dogs left outside without shade or drinkable water and pets left inside hot vehicles.<\/p>\n
El Paso Animal Services is urging pet owners to check pavement temperatures before walking animals.<\/p>\n
The agency says if you can\u2019t hold your bare hand on the pavement for more than three seconds, it\u2019s too hot for a pet\u2019s paws.<\/p>\n
The agency also warns that if it\u2019s too hot for a person to sit inside a parked car, it\u2019s too hot for a pet.<\/p>\n
Animal Protection Field Supervisor Officer Yasmin Quesada said officers have seen more cases as temperatures climb. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have had several ones with the increase in the weather and the triple-digit degrees,\u201d Quesada said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of dogs that are outside that don’t have access to water or shade, or the owners forget that they left them outside, unfortunately. Multiple dogs in vehicles that they’re not supposed to be in there, and the weather puts their life in danger really quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily Schmalz reports on Triple-digit heat fuels rise in El Paso Animal Services calls for pets at risk (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: El Paso Animal Services answers 500-plus calls and issues nearly 300 citations this month<\/p>\n
During one call earlier in the day, officers responded to a report of a dog that had been howling and barking outside in the heat for several hours. <\/p>\n
The owners were not home, so Quesada spoke with the neighbor who made the complaint.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs he outdoors all day, or do they ever bring him in?\u201d Quesada asked. <\/p>\n
The caller responded, \u201cI don’t really know. Like, every time I’m out, he’s outside.\u201d <\/p>\n
Quesada left a notice for the owner and later was able to make contact.<\/p>\n
On the way to another call, Quesada described how quickly conditions can become dangerous for animals left in vehicles. <\/p>\n
\u201cWithin five to ten minutes, the temperature can increase about 30 degrees in the vehicle, but what people don’t understand is that the dog’s temperatures already hot,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The temperature itself is gonna put them at risk to overheat quicker than a person would.<\/p>\n
On another call, a neighbor reported a dog left outside every day. <\/p>\n
The only water available was colored green, and the dog was panting to try to stay cool. <\/p>\n
With no one home, Quesada left a notice for the owners.<\/p>\n