Remember Your Pets During The Excessive Heat Warning

A good reminder from our public safety partners at MCPD!

"The National Weather Service is forecasting excessive heat for the next three days, with ambient temperatures reaching 100 degrees. The resulting heat index will be 105 to 115 degrees with little cloud cover. The National Weather Service advises people to stay out of the sun, check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and be careful to keep pets in the shade and give them plenty of fresh water.

Montgomery County Police want to remind residents to be especially careful with all pets during this time of increased heat. Animals that are outdoors must have access to shade, shelter, and plenty of fresh water. Never leave children, the elderly, dogs and other pets inside a parked vehicle even with the windows open. With temperatures outside registering 100 or more degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle can quickly climb to a much higher temperature within minutes

The Director of the Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division, Captain Michael Wahl, is enforcing Executive Regulation 10-10AM, Anti-Cruelty Conditions for Dogs, Section 2-D, which states, “A person must not tether a dog under circumstances that endanger its health, safety, or well-being, including: unattended tethering of a dog during a weather emergency.” The penalty for this violation is a fine of $500. This law was enacted by the Montgomery County Council in June of 2002. This regulation will be enforced as long as and/or whenever the Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning.