As tragic as it is, dogs die every year from being left in hot vehicles by uneducated dog owners.
This year is no different and social media is having a feeding frenzy. With images and videos of dogs in assumed distress going viral, parking lot activists have begun lurking around in search of dogs. Tempers are rising, along with the heat, and these self-proclaimed advocates have stopped thinking rationally and started acting irrationally.
Let me stress a point: just because a dog is in a vehicle, does not mean it is on the precipice of death. A dog can be in a vehicle for a length of time in proper conditions and be quite comfortable.
One bit of misinformation that has taken on a life of its own is the idea that if a dog is panting, it is in distress. Dogs pant for a variety of reasons. Being on the verge of physical collapse due to heat exposure is only one reason. It is true that dogs pant to cool themselves, but they don't have to be overheating to do it. They can be well within a normal, healthy, stable body temperature range and still pant. It's completely normal.
Dogs also pant when they are stressed, such as when strangers are pacing around their car and trying to stick their hands inside an open window in an attempt to comfort what they assume is a distressed dog.
Some dogs are like that. They aren't all happy with strangers around their vehicle. The proximity of unknown humans around a vehicle can cause a dog to become distressed and begin to overheat. In an attempt to "rescue" an otherwise comfortable dog, the overzealous efforts of the "rescuer" can cause the dog undue distress. Now don't get me wrong, I'm aware of how quickly an overheated dog can go down. But being overzealous only alienates people and thwarts efforts towards education. The best way to change the situation is to be the change you wish to see. Educate yourself on the symptoms of heat stroke and don't overreact.
Remember, every dog pants. Panting is not a sign of distress. A dog panting in heat exposure distress will have a thick wide tongue, its eyes will be glazed over, bulging or even squinting. It will seem listless. There may be vomit present and the dog may seem unable to maintain its balance. These are signs that immediate action is necessary.
Observe the dog at a distance and notice if the dog begins to relax as you retreat. You may think you are a dog whisperer and dogs love you, but as I said, standing near a vehicle can agitate and excite a dog. If the dog still looks distressed, try to locate the owner. Contact a store representative and see if an announcement can be made over the paging system before taking matters into your own hands.
If owners present themselves, be kind. Let them know your concerns without being rude or belittling them. Inciting an argument does not help the cause of education. All it does is make you look like a fanatical busybody. Regardless of how you feel, you are more apt to educate dog owners through compassion than aggression.
Finally, don't attempt to remove the dog from the vehicle. This is very risky as a dog could show aggression or become fearful and take off. Instead, call animal control while observing the dog at a distance and wait for them to arrive. They will be able to tell if it is a true emergency. But remember, if you call the authorities out of spite and overzealousness, you could potentially be pulling them away from a true emergency where a life, be it canine or human, really is in danger.
Being a hero is noble, but a hero always acts from a place of integrity and truth.
