• Obtain a weather report for the incident date, including the temperature, heat index and humidity. • Immediately document the dog’s temperature and the temperature inside the vehicle. • Document any physical signs of heat stroke (see list above). • If in public, obtain video surveillance to document how long the dog was left in the car. • Photograph the condition of the car, including shade, ventilation, etc. • Look for signs of attempted escape, including claw marks. • If the dog perishes, pursue a full necropsy by a veterinarian. Highlight supportive findings, including organ failure and necrosis or internal bleeding. • If a necropsy isn’t possible, document this finding. This happens when the heat is so extreme that the internal organs become necrotic. • Look for abnormalities in the body’s rigidity. Permanent rigidity is unique to heat-related deaths. Dogs also might exhibit rigidity that’s more marked than traditional rigor mortis, which remains until the body softens due to decomposition. In all cases: • Obtain statements from witnesses, including the person responsible. • Obtain veterinary records. • Use the totality of the circumstances surrounding the incident to prove that it was heat-related and rule out other causes of death. Recommended tools • Digital thermometer: Use to take the temperature of living or deceased dogs at the time of contact. • Digital cooking thermometer/timer: Use the probe to get an accurate temperature reading inside the vehicle without opening the door and letting 20 The Humane Society of the United States the air out. A magnet on the back allows it to be affixed to the car to photograph, showing that the vehicle temperature was documented properly. REMINDER: If you had to break a car window in order to remove the animal and the owner has not yet returned, consider having the vehicle towed to a garage for security purposes. You are responsible for the security of the vehicle if the window is broken; however, the owner should be responsible for the cost of repairs. Scenario 2: Animal neglect/cruelty (small animals) You receive a complaint that an animal is not being provided with adequate food or water, not receiving necessary veterinary attention to a medical problem, not being provided with shelter, or any combination of the above. Situations involving neglect often occur because someone acquired an animal on impulse and did not think about the responsibilities involved. In some cases, financial hardship could be a contributing factor. For example: • An owner acquired a dog as a puppy. As the puppy grew and the novelty wore off, the owner began leaving the dog outside with minimal attention to its needs. Now the dog is fed or watered only when someone remembers. • An owner acquired a kitten. Once the kitten grew and began clawing the furniture, the owner decided it should be an outdoor cat and left it outside to ”fend for itself." • An owner is ignorant of how to care for an animal or has lost interest in caring for it. • An owner is experiencing financial difficulties (e.g. job loss, bankruptcy, foreclosure) and her ability to provide basic care for the pet becomes a problem. As a result, the pet suffers Common complaints
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