OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — It's been hot as we get into the summer months. On Wednesday, the Nebraska Humane Society demonstrated the dangers of leaving pets in cars.
"In less than 10 minutes, on a day like today, the temperature in the car can reach over 110 degrees inside the car," said Steve Glandt, vice president of operations at the Nebraska Humane Society.
Two animal control officers were part of the experiment to see how warm it gets in cars even with the windows cracked. After five minutes, it was more than 94 degrees.
“There's no sunlight. It's pretty cloudy, and it is a little breezy today, and it is still so warm. You can imagine your dog in full sun, no shade, no breeze,” said an officer.
Eventually, the temperature reading went over 100 degrees. The NHS said last year that it got 350 calls about dogs in hot cars.
If you see a dog in a car, they say to report it to animal control — especially if you see symptoms of heat stroke.
But heat can impact your do outside of the car as well. NHS suggests tips on its website like limiting exercise outdoors, taking water breaks, watching for signs of distress and watching where you walk.
3 News Now reporter Molly Hudson spoke to dog owners, at local dog barks, about what they look out for. Dog owner Sam Lager says he knows the rule of checking the pavement.
"The big thing is that the pavement can get really hot, so if you can't sit there and touch it, for, they say 5 to 10 seconds, they shouldn't be on the pavement," Lager said.
Steve Langdon, a dog owner in South Omaha, has two dogs and watches for panting.
"When their tongue comes out a long way, even though they may act like they still want to run around and play, that's a time when they need to drink some water and just relax for a little bit," Langdon said.
He added that he always makes sure they have plenty of water, at all times.
"We have a doggie door, so they go out. So we have a supply of water outside too in the summer months and in the house too," Langdon said. "When we take dogs, that is a big responsibility. So all of that, that comes with that is making sure they are safe, they feel loved, they feel comforted."
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