The Stony Point Police Department responded to two separate incidents involving dogs left unattended inside locked vehicles while outdoor temperatures were around 80 degrees.
Police are reminding pet owners that even on relatively mild summer days, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly, creating dangerous and potentially life-threatening conditions for animals.
According to animal safety experts, heat can build up inside a vehicle within minutes, placing pets at risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, organ failure, and death.
Authorities urge pet owners to leave animals safely at home if they cannot accompany them indoors. Cracking a window or parking in the shade does little to prevent temperatures from reaching dangerous levels.
Police also encourage residents to act quickly if they see an animal in distress inside a vehicle. Anyone who observes a dog or other pet showing signs of heat-related distress should call 911 immediately.
As temperatures continue to rise this summer, officials are reminding the public that a quick errand is never worth risking a pet’s life.