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Animal services urges residents: don’t leave dogs in hot cars, call dispatch if concerned
Summary
Prescott Valley animal services officer Alana Caswell urged residents to carry water for pets, avoid walking dogs during peak heat, and contact town dispatch rather than attempting risky rescues when a dog appears distressed in a car.
Prescott Valley Animal Services Officer Alana Caswell urged residents to take simple precautions during summer heat to protect pets, saying water and timing matter. She told listeners that overheating can happen quickly and that owners should not leave dogs unattended in closed vehicles.
"If you wouldn't leave your child in that car, don't leave your dog in that car," Caswell said, emphasizing that interiors can reach dangerous temperatures in minutes. She advised carrying water during outings and shifting walks to cooler parts of the day to reduce heat exposure for animals.
Caswell said Good Samaritan concerns are common and recommended that bystanders call Prescott Valley dispatch rather than breaking vehicle windows. "Call right in to dispatch ... and we'll get dispatch out to go check on that dog," she said, adding that officers will determine whether the animal needs emergency care and will contact owners when possible. She noted that leaving an animal in dangerous conditions can result in state or local animal-cruelty charges.
