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Animals in Hot Vehicles

An In-service for the Cobb County Police Department

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Background

These guidelines were born out of a lack of consistency in how to handle

animals left unattended in hot vehicles.

With the donation of laser thermometers from PAWSitive Supporters we

now have the ability to accurately determine the temperature in an

automobile and with these guidelines, a proactive approach in protecting

animals subjected to this abuse.

As always, you the officer, have discretion as to the action you take in

regards to these violations.

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Terminal Performance Objective

Following this in-service block of instruction the student will be able to

identify when a violation has occurred, how to document the incident

and the appropriate charges.

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Enabling Objectives

Understand the science and how temperature affects animals in vehicles.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of an animal experiencing a heat

related illness.

Identify the laws and how to apply them.

Building your case.

Other Uses.

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The Science

Heat stroke is commonly seen in animals left in a vehicle.

A dog can die in as little as twenty minutes in a vehicle

parked in direct sun (Gregory 2004).

Several studies have been conducted on the internal

heating of automobiles under different conditions. In 85 ° F

ambient temperature, the temperature inside a vehicle,

even with the windows left slightly open, can reach 102 ° F

in ten minutes and 120 ° F in thirty minutes (API 2005).

Dogs with short faces (ie. Bulldogs, Pugs, etc.) are more

susceptible to heat related illnesses and should be

monitored more closely.

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Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Dogs

You may see the following signs and

symptoms with a dog in danger of or

experiencing heat stroke:

• Rapid Breathing

• Excessive Panting

• Severe Respiratory Distress

• Dehydration

• Vomiting - which may become bloody

• Diarrhea - which may become bloody

• Collapse

• Mental Depression

• Coma and/or Seizures

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The Law – Cobb County Ordinance

10-121.6. - Animals in motor vehicles.

Any person shall be in violation of this chapter who:

(2) Leaves an animal in a parked vehicle when temperatures inside

the vehicle may adversely affect the animal's health and welfare.

When the conditions inside a parked vehicle constitute an imminent

threat to the animal's health or safety, any animal left in a parked

vehicle may be removed from that vehicle by CCAC, any law

enforcement agency, or fire agency.

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The Law - State Law

OCGA 16-12-4. Cruelty to Animals

(2) Having intentionally exercised custody, control, possession, or

ownership of an animal, fails to provide to such animal adequate

food, water, sanitary conditions, or ventilation that is consistent with

what a reasonable person of ordinary knowledge would believe is

the normal requirement and feeding habit for such animal's size,

species, breed, age, and physical condition.

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Building Your Case

Is there a violation?

Is the ambient temperature over 85 ° F?

Take Temperature Measurements - 3 locations inside the vehicle

Complete Animal In Hot vehicle Worksheet

If the average temperature in the vehicle is > 102 °F you should consider an

arrest under OCGA 16-12-4 Cruelty to Animals

Make Decision

Citation, Arrest or Refer to Animal Cruelty Investigator

Complete Incident Report

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Entering a Vehicle

1. Attempt to contact the owner/operator for assistance entering the

vehicle. The owner/operator should be given a reasonable

amount of time to respond.

2. If the owner/operator does not respond in a reasonable amount of

time then you should contact your on-duty Supervisor and the Fire

Department for assistance entering the vehicle.

3. If the animal appears to be in distress and no other options are

available it is permissible to force entry into the vehicle after

notifying your on-duty Supervisor.

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Laser Thermometer

The General Tools IRT206 laser thermometer is

accurate to +/- 2% of the reading taken. It uses

laser aiming and features near instantaneous

readings. The thermometer can be used to

measure surface temperature readings without

direct contact but does not work through glass.

The General Tools IRT206 Infrared Thermometer meets or exceeds measurement

specifications and has been calibrated using standards from the National Institute

of Standards and/or National Measurement Laboratory.

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Taking the Measurements

Note: All temperatures are taken of the interior of the vehicle

A - Front Dash

B - Rear Dash/Deck

C - Location of Animal

A+B+C = Total Temps/3 = Average Temperature

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Front Dash

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Rear Dash/Deck

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Animal Location

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Complete the Worksheet

Date

Location:

Type Sex

Dog Cat Other M F

Tag Make Model Color

Interior

Color

How Long in

Vehicle

Windows

Open

Yes No

Ambient Temperature

Front

Dash

Rear

Deck

Animal

Location

Average

Temperature

Panting Active Lethargic In Distress Coma Seizure Bloated Dead

Y N Y N Y N Y N Y N Y N Y N Y N

Water Present

Y N

Impounded

Taken to

Vet

Citations

Issued

Referred to

Investigator

Y N Y N Y N Y N

Cage# if Seized

If Taken to Vet Where

Animal Control Officer

Animal Information

Breed Approximate Age

Vehicle Information

Incident#

Measured Temperatures

Animal Condition

Food Present

Y N

Disposition

Cobb County Animal ControlAnimal In Vehicle Worksheet

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Your Decision

Citations – Can be completed by Animal Control Officers and issued

to the responsible party.

State Charges – Can be taken by a Police Officer on-scene or may be

referred to the Animal Cruelty Investigation Unit for further

investigation and warrants.

Documentation is key for prosecution.

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Evaluate and Decide

Do the Math

A+B+C = Total Temps/3 = Average Temperature

Ambient temperature > 85 °F but vehicle average temperature < 102 °F

A County Ordinance Violation is in order.

Average temperature in vehicle > 102 °F

A State Charge for Cruelty to Animals is warranted.

Point of thought: A dog’s normal body temperature is 101 – 102.5 °F. As the temperature in the

vehicle meets or exceeds the dog’s normal temperature they will begin losing the ability to

compensate for the excessive heat. This can be a deadly situation.

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Other Uses

Children or Vulnerable Adults left in vehicles

Road Temperatures

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Children in Vehicles

Hot temperatures can affect humans as

well. Especially the very young and the

very old.

Do not wait to remove a person from a

hot vehicle. Remove them immediately,

call EMS and then follow-up with taking

the temperatures in the vehicle as time

permits.

Follow the same procedures for

obtaining the temperatures. Be sure to

document how long the doors have

been open and your observations when

you arrived.

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Road Temperatures

We’ve all seen the business that leaves

their sprinklers on in the winter and the

resulting mayhem that can occur when the

temperature drops and the water on the

road begins to freeze.

You can use the laser thermometers to

check the road temperature in an effort to

prevent the imminent traffic headaches that

will follow.

The laser thermometer can also be used to

check the road temperature when a wash-

down by the Fire Department may be

necessary for road debris.

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Summary

Understand the science and how temperature affects animals in vehicles.

Recognize the signs and symptoms of an animal experiencing a heat

related illness.

Identify the laws and how to apply them.

Building your case.

Other Uses.

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Final Questions

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Additional Help

If you have additional questions please consult with the

Animal Control Officer on-scene or contact the

Animal Cruelty Investigation Unit.

770-590-5638