DOG DIES WHEN LEFT IN OVERHEATED VEHICLE August 3, 2010

 

On August 2, 2010 Lee County Domestic Animal Services received an emergency call regarding a dog left in an unattended vehicle at HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers.  An officer arrived within minutes but was unable to resuscitate the small poodle mix.  The dog’s temperature registered 115 degrees (the maximum temperature of the thermometer).  The owner and several friends and family members reported they drove from Tallahassee to visit a sick relative.  They admitted leaving the dog inside the car for over two hours.  The owner was cited for animal cruelty with a mandatory court appearance.

Ironically this incident occurred the same day that the nationally syndicated column, “Dear Abby,” warned readers of the dangers of leaving dogs in overheated vehicles.  Lee County Domestic Animal Services also strongly advises pet owners not to ever leave an animal in a car even for just a short period of time. On a mild day with outside temperatures in the low 70s, the inside of a car can reach 120 degrees within minutes.  When temperatures are in the 90s outside, as they were at Health Park on August 2^nd, the inside temperature of a parked car can rise to over 160 degrees causing permanent brain damage and obviously death.  Cracking a window has little to no effect on the inside temperature of the car.

“It’s always frustrating when something so easily preventable takes the life of a pet,” says Adam Leath, Chief of Animal Control.  “There’s simply no way to excuse this type of neglect when it should be obvious that no one, human or pet, could survive exposure to such extreme temperatures for so long,” he adds.  Leath advises anyone who sees an animal left in a parked car to call Animal Services or police immediately as well as to go to nearby stores to see if an owner can be located quickly.

To report animal neglect and abuse or for more information about pet safety call Lee County Domestic Animal Services at (239) 533-7387 (LEE-PETS) or online go to http://www.LeeLostPets.com

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH!! July 2, 2010

The Fourth of July is just around the corner with its parades, cookouts and fireworks.  Whether it is a community event or a private display in your own backyard, fireworks can be dangerous.

According to National Fire Prevention Association, fireworks devices were involved in an estimated 7,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during 2008.  The highest rates of injuries were for children ages 5 to 9 and 15 to 19.  Males accounted for 62% of fireworks injuries.

Injuries resulting from fireworks include burns and lacerations – generally to the hands, face or head.  The risk of fire death relative to exposure shows fireworks to be the riskiest consumer product for death due to fire.

While celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks, you are encouraged to pay special attention to the risk of fires, too.  In 2008, an estimated 22,500 reported fires were started by fireworks.  These fires resulted in one civilian death, 40 civilian injuries and $42 million in direct property damage.  The largest numbers of fires associated with fireworks were: grass fires (9,800 per year), brush fires (6,500), dumpster fires (2,500), unknown-type natural vegetation fires (1,900) and outside trash, rubbish fires (1,800).

Fireworks Safety Tips

Always read and follow label directions.

An adult must be present when handling fireworks.

Buy from reliable sellers.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission requires that legal fireworks show the name of the item, the name of the manufacturer or distributor, and easy to read cautionary labeling and instructions for proper use.

Avoid sparklers.  They can potentially catch clothes or hair on fire, and they can heat up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit (hot enough to melt gold).

Keep water handy if you are around fireworks.

Only use fireworks outdoors.

Light fireworks in a clear area away from houses, dry leaves or grass, and flammable materials.

Never make your own fireworks.

Never re-light a “dud” firework.  Do not touch the firework for 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

Store fireworks in a dry, cool place.  Check instructions for special storage directions.

Observe local laws.

Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.  Bystanders are more frequently injured by fireworks than the people who use them.

Never let children handle or light fireworks.

Never light more than one firework at a time.

For the safest of holidays, let the professionals handle the fireworks.  Enjoy one of the many fireworks displays held in the area.

What do YOU think?? May 5, 2009

Texting While Driving A Bad Idea…..ya think???

New evidence confirms it’s a bad idea to text message on phones while you’re behind the wheel. A new study challenged 21 teens to operate a driving simulator while sending text messages or searching through their MP3 collection on electronic gadgets. Their driving skills suffered, leading them to weave in their lanes, change their speed, and in some cases, run over virtual pedestrians. Many states are debating whether to regulate texting while driving.