Hiking with Your Dog This Summer? Stay Within the Law.
With an abundance of hiking trails and outdoor adventures throughout the state, Arizona dog owners may forget that their canine companions may be more susceptible to heat exhaustion and emergencies than their human counterparts when they are hiking in the summer or any time of extreme heat.
Dogs do not tolerate heat in the same manner that humans do, relying on panting rather than sweating. Once it is over 90 degrees outside, it is advised to leave dogs at home on hikes and walks to prevent them from burning their paws or succumbing to heat exhaustion.
In order to prevent needless canine deaths resulting from Arizona’s often-sweltering summer months, in 2016 the City of Phoenix implemented a ban on taking dogs hiking on Phoenix trails on days when the temperature reaches 100 degrees or more.
According to AZ Family News, offenders violating this ordinance can be fined $250, with a subsequent offense being charged as a class 1 misdemeanor and the offender being ordered to pay hefty fines and face possible jail time up to 15 days.
While other cities within Arizona have not enacted such a ban, canine deaths caused by outdoor activities during summer months remain a concern. According to the Scottsdale Fire Department, dog owners could be charged under state law with animal cruelty for causing harm or death to their dog while hiking in extreme heat. Depending on the severity and nature of the crime, an animal cruelty charge can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony, both of which can result in jail time.
Scottsdale Fire Department urges dog owners to remember that an air temperature of 90 degrees can result in pavement temperatures of 135 degrees. Dogs should always remain at home during such temperatures.
If your dog exhibits any of the following, they could be experiencing a heat emergency such as heat stroke:
- Difficulty breathing and/or extremely heavy panting.
- Noticeably red gums or tongue or blue/gray gums or tongue.
- Thickened saliva.
- Vomiting.
- Sudden lethargy.
- Collapsing.
- Seizing.
In any of these situations, immediately get your dog out of the heat, cool them with ice packs, and rush them to the nearest emergency veterinarian practice.
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