A woman has petitioned to make it illegal to walk a dog in weather with temperatures over 20°C (68ºF).
25-year-old Paige Spearman lives in the Uk, where the area has experienced record-high temperatures. In fact, the Met Office in the UK issued its first-ever amber warning for extreme temperatures.
As a fellow dog owner, it’s understandable that Spearman was upset by seeing people walking their dogs in extreme temperatures.
Dogs getting heatstroke is a real concern when temperatures reach a certain degree, especially when walking on hot tarmac or cement.
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Spearman’s petition has been supported by thousands of people around the world, receiving more than 35,000 signatures on change.org.
In her petition, she wrote:
“It can take as little as 15 minutes for a dog to die of heat stroke. Dogs do not have sweat glands, so the only way to regulate their body temperature is to be in the cool, and panting…Far too many family fur babies die every year from heat stroke due to negligence, and ignorance.”
She went on to say that she believes fine should be “enforceable if ANYONE is seen walking a dog in 20° heat and over by the police.”
Speaking with the Hampshire Live, she said, “It just really infuriates me that people are just so uneducated. Actually taking your dog for a walk in this heat can quite quickly kill them. I just don’t understand people’s logic.”
According to the Metro, an emergency veterinary service, Vets Now, has reported that its surgeons treat “hundreds of dogs for heat stroke every year.” They said that often the dogs who experience heat stroke have been walked between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM when temperatures are hottest.
Even temperatures of 20-23°C (68ºF-73.4°F) have a somewhat high heat risk rating, and dogs that are high risk, like those suffering from breathing difficulties or obesity, can suffer from the weather.
The Metro also reported that a vet in Buckinghamshire, Clare Hamilton, explained that anything over 25°C (77°F) is “very risky.” She also noted that the humidity and breeze (or lack thereof) make a difference.
It’s important to monitor your dog while walking in warmer weather and look out for signs of heatstroke. If you’re unsure if it’s too hot to take a walk with your pet, always err on the side of caution. Make sure your pet has plenty of water and a cool place out of the sun to realx.
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
