Warm weather can cause distress, injury and death
The Putnam County SPCA would like to remind pet owners not to leave their pets unattended in parked vehicles, especially during periods of extreme heat. Temperatures in vehicles can rise 40 or more degrees above the outside temperature, causing suffering, irreversible damage to their health and the possible death of the animal. It is a crime in New York state if an animal, left in a vehicle, is subjected to such heat and is punishable by a fine upwards of $100 or more. If an animal goes into distress as a result of being subjected to extreme temperatures in a vehicle, the owner may be arrested for animal cruelty, a Class A misdemeanor, and face a fine upwards of $1,000 and/or jail time up to one year.
The Putnam County SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department has begun random patrols of all shopping center parking lots in Putnam County during warm days and will continue to do so throughout the summer months as a proactive effort to prevent heat related injuries.
An information sign is being distributed to interested businesses throughout the county to remind patrons to stop and think about the consequences should they decide to leave pets in a hot car. A copy can be requested by interested stores by calling the SPCA at 845-520-6915. It can also be downloaded and printed from the Putnam County SPCA’s Facebook page.
The public can report pets left in vehicles on warm days or any other suspected animal cruelty by calling the Putnam County SPCA at the 24-hour animal cruelty hotline at 845-520-6915 or through the website, spcaputnam.org. Calls can be kept confidential.
