EXCESSIVE HEAT CAN BE DEADLY FOR PETS: The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning that is in effect until Sunday. People and pets are at risk. ( nws.noaa.gov/view/prodsByState.php?state=AZ&prodtype=warnings ) As the temperatures rise, so do the number of calls regarding heat related pet emergencies. Since animals suffer in silence, we must be their voice. Please help us remind pet owners of the dangers of excessive heat and how they can prevent an expensive trip to the vet and/or a tragic ending for their pet - and - maybe even a citation. In Clark County, it is a misdemeanor to not provide supplemental cooling for your pet when an excessive heat warning is issued by the National Weather Service. (Clark County Municipal Code 10.32.130 ) Owners are encouraged to keep pets inside, especially the very young and the very old. Limit exercise to very early morning or late evening. If the pavement is too hot for the palm of your hand, it’s too hot for your dogs’ paw pads. Leave pets at home. It’s illegal to leave animals unattended in vehicles as well as deadly for the animal. (NRS 574.195) If you see a dog in a hot car, call 911. If at a hotel or shopping mall immediately contact local security as first responders can, by law, break a window to save an animal. If a pet must be kept outdoors, make sure it has plenty of consistent shade in a well ventilated area and access to cool drinking water. Small child swimming pools and misting systems can also keep outside dogs cool. Check with your veterinarian or local pet supply store for additional pet cooling ideas. The public is encouraged to contact Animal Control at 3-1-1 or the LV Valley Humane Society at 434-2009 or if individuals see stray animals in distress. For those feeding feral cats, make sure that plenty of cool water is available by putting ice in the water to keep it cooler longer. Signs of Heat Stroke include: · Rapid Panting · Weakness · Dizziness* · Vomiting* · Diarrhea* · Shock* · Seizures* *Critical signs of heatstroke. WHAT TO DO: Remove the pet from the hot area immediately and lower the pet’s body temperature with COOL water (NOT COLD OR ICE WATER). Please seek immediate veterinary assistance if your pet displays these signs. Please Note: Certain breeds with short snouts are especially susceptible to heat stroke and should be kept indoors. They include: Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Boxers, Puggles, among others. Thank you in advance for your attention to this very important issue. Gina Greisen Nevada Voters for Animals ---------- Clark County Municipal Code: 10.32.130 - Depriving of sustenance, shelter or medical care.permanent link to this piece of content It is unlawful to deprive any animal of adequate sustenance, feed, water, or shelter, or expose to the elements of the weather and to the extremes of heat or cold, or refuse to obtain veterinarian medical care for illness, injury, disease or infirmity, or willfully instigate, engage in, or in any way further an act of cruelty to any animal, or any act to produce such cruelty. When the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning, dogs and cats must be provided with supplemental cooling to adequately reduce the temperature. (https://library.municode/index.aspx?clientId=16214) (Ord. 2735 § 2, 2002: Ord. 1023 § 9 (part), 1987) (Ord. No. 3877, § 10, 6-15-2010) NEVADA REVISED STATUTE: NRS 574.195 Allowing cat or dog to remain unattended in motor vehicle during period of extreme heat or cold unlawful; removal of animal; exceptions; immunity from liability; penalty. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a person shall not allow a cat or dog to remain unattended in a parked or standing motor vehicle during a period of extreme heat or cold or in any other manner that endangers the health or safety of the cat or dog. 2. Any: (a) Peace officer; (b) Officer of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals who is authorized to make arrests pursuant to NRS 574.040; (c) Animal control officer; (d) Governmental officer or employee whose primary duty is to ensure public safety; (e) Employee or volunteer of any organized fire department; or (f) Member of a search and rescue organization in this State that is under the direct supervision of a sheriff, may use any force that is reasonable and necessary under the circumstances to remove from a motor vehicle a cat or dog that is allowed to remain in the motor vehicle in violation of subsection 1. 3. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to: (a) A police animal or an animal that is used by: (1) A federal law enforcement agency to assist the agency in carrying out the duties of the agency; or (2) A search and rescue organization specified in paragraph (f) of subsection 2 to assist the organization in carrying out the activities of the organization; (b) A dog that is under the possession or control of: (1) An animal control officer; or (2) A first responder during an emergency; (c) A dog that is under the possession or control of a person who: (1) Is actively engaged in hunting a species of game mammal or game bird during the season for hunting that species of game mammal or game bird; (2) Is using the dog for the purpose set forth in subparagraph (1); and (3) Holds a license or tag to hunt that species of game mammal or game bird during that season; or (d) A dog that is participating in: (1) Training exercises relating to hunting; or (2) Field trials relating to hunting. 4. A cat or dog that is removed from a motor vehicle pursuant to subsection 2 shall be deemed to be an animal being treated cruelly for the purposes of NRS 574.055. The person who removed the cat or dog may take any action relating to the cat or dog specified in that section and is entitled to any lien or immunity from liability that is applicable pursuant to that section. 5. A person who violates a provision of subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Added to NRS by 2007, 1925)
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 01:15:21 +0000