PETA HOT WEATHER ADVISORY- The National Weather Service has issued a Weekend- heat advisory for the ArkLaTex as temperatures are predicted to reach the mid-90’s and with a Heat Index of 105. Last May a 7-month old girl in Shreveport died after being left in a car, and a couple weeks ago In Bossier City, 3 dogs were found dead after being left in a hot car. With that in mind, the group Persons for the Ethical Treatment for Animals – PETA, is advising people to not leave animals or children in parked cars for any length of time. Lisa Lange, Senior Vice President for PETA explains more.
"A lot of people don't know that children and dogs can succumb to heatstroke and die in the short amount
time it takes to run that quick errand even if the car is parked in the shade," Lange explained. " Even on a 78 degree day, the temperature in a parked car can easily soar to 100 degrees in just minutes. And on a 90 degree day, the interior termperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes."
And if you see a parked car without air conditioning running and there’s pets or people inside, Lange offers this advice.
"So we're letting people know if you see a child or dog or any other animal left alone in a hot car , we're asking people to please immediately call local humane authorities or the police," said Lange. "Never, ever leave the scene 'til the victim is safe. And if authorities are unresponsive or too slow, and the dog or child's life appear to be in imminent danger, find a witness or better still, find several witnesses that will back up your assessment, then quickly remove the suffering child or animal from the car and wait for authorities to arrive."
According to the safety organization Kids and Cars, an average of 37 children die each year in hot cars, with the most deaths occurring during the month of July. And PETA says many animals die too but the numbers often go unreported.
What to do if you see a heat-stressed child or animal in a parked car: www.peta.org
