Last weekend, a tragic incident occurred when one puppy was killed and three others were rescued from a hot car at Disney Springs in Orlando. The puppies, Bernedoodles, were left in a locked car with only one window cracked and no air conditioning, causing them to suffer in the stifling heat for 90 minutes. One of the dogs was unresponsive and had to be euthanized due to extreme injuries, while the other three were saved just in time and were able to make a full recovery with medical intervention.
Rescuers from Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) rushed to the Disney Springs parking garage after a security guard noticed the distressed puppies. The owner had left the dogs in the car while they dined with family, assuming that the covered parking garage and cracked window would be sufficient. However, with the temperature outside reaching 86 degrees, the inside of the car likely skyrocketed to 102 degrees within just 10 minutes, a dangerous situation for the dogs left inside.
The surviving dogs were taken away from the neglectful owner, who had recently purchased them from a breeder in Ohio. They have since been adopted by the staff of the Reedy Creek Fire Department. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is considering charging the owner with felony animal cruelty in this case, which is the second incident of dogs being rescued from hot cars in just two weeks in the Orlando area.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder to pet owners that leaving animals in hot cars can lead to preventable tragedies. The manager of OCAS, Diane Summers, expressed her heartbreak and frustration over the situation, emphasizing that animals should never be left in cars especially during the summer months in Florida. The misconception that shade or cracking a window can mitigate the risk of overheating is debunked, as the temperature inside a car can rise rapidly even with those precautions.
It is crucial for pet owners to be responsible and prioritize the safety and well-being of their animals. Leaving pets in hot cars can lead to serious consequences, as seen in the case of the Bernedoodle puppies at Disney Springs. Authorities and animal rescue organizations are working diligently to ensure that negligent owners are held accountable for their actions and that animals are given a second chance at a safe and loving environment after being rescued from dangerous situations.
The incidents at Disney Springs and the Orlando Goodwill serve as important reminders of the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars. By raising awareness about the risks and consequences of such actions, hopefully, more people will be motivated to take proper precautions and prioritize the safety of their animals in all circumstances. It is essential to recognize the signs of heat stress and act quickly to prevent any harm to pets, especially during the hot summer months.
