Humane Society reminds pet owners about safety during fireworks, hot days

Humane Society reminds pet owners about safety during fireworks, hot days

Fourth of July is Society’s busiest day due to runaway dogs

  • By Gregory Philson Juneau Empire
  • Thursday, June 28, 2018 11:13am
  • NewsLocal News

Fourth of July is Gastineau Humane Society’s busiest day of the year. That is not a good thing.

Karen Wood, Animal Control Officer and Director of Animal Control at GHS, said the Humane Society receives at least a dozen calls on the holiday compared to an average day of two calls the rest of the year. Wood said most of these calls or walk-ins are about either losing or finding a stray dog. The cause is mostly related to dogs running away after being startled by loud fireworks.

“It is the day that most often has pets run off for fear of fireworks,” Wood said at GHS Wednesday. “They jump fences or escape out the front door.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Wood offered some ideas on what can be done on July Fourth to help prevent dogs from running away. Wood said the best option is simply leaving your dog at home while celebrating. She also said taking a dog for a long walk during the day is also a good option because it tires the dog out and allows it to rest calmly. She also said having proper tags is also key.

“We recommend that all pets are wearing their 2018 city license, so we can give the owner a call and return it to them without it having to be impounded and brought back here,” she said. “If the dog is microchipped, that is also helpful because if the dog pulls out of its collar, we can still identify it.”

If people do decide to bring their dog out to festivities, she said to make sure to act immediately if the dog seems uncomfortable.

“We know that people think it is fun to take their dogs to the parade and go see fireworks, but they do not have fun like we do at the events,” Wood said. “We always do want to be with our buddies, but it is best to just keep them at home. If they are out and they do start to panic, it really is best to just take them home.”

Wood said that some dogs may have panic attacks so bad that they may need medication. She said making sure medication is well stocked or visiting the veterinarian is a good idea.

Heat and vehicle safety

With predicted warmer temperatures expected next week, Wood cautioned people about leaving dogs in cars. She said GHS received “tons” of calls once temperatures reached 40 and the sun came out in March. Wood said those are not emergency situations, but does caution that when temperatures hit 60 degrees, the inside of vehicles may become dangerous.

“If windows aren’t open and the sun is out, it can heat up real fast,” Wood said. “There is a greenhouse effect in cars with the glass. Temperatures can rise really fast. In fact, just last week we did have a dog overheat in a car.”

Usually, Wood said the incidents are accidental. She said she has dealt with one dog who died after being in a hot car too long.

Wood suggested if dogs are brought along on trips, to make sure there is plenty of ventilation. She also said if people do see a dog that looks hot and uncomfortable to call the Humane Society.

“If you see an animal that looks distressed, lethargic and panting heavily or rapidly, you should call immediately,” Wood said. “We will head out to the scene, get the license plate number and contact the owner.”

Melissa Roulette, a Licensed Veterinary Technician at Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center, said dogs left in hot cars can lead to a serious medical situation.

“That is when we worry about heatstroke,” Roulette said. “It is like sitting in the sun without any shade.”

Dogs owners should also be cautious of their pets even outside when the temperatures rise.

“When the temperatures rise above 75 degrees and asphalt starts to warm up, dogs can actually burn their paw pads on the asphalt and any other dark, hot surfaces,” Roulette said.

Roulette said precautions that can be taken include bringing cool water along, taking breaks on longer walks and making sure dogs get time in the shade.

Another vehicle problem Wood says the society sees a lot with warmer conditions is dogs improperly restrained in the beds of trucks. It is legal to have a dog in the bed of a truck, but there are some guidelines pet owners must follow. The dog may be tethered to the cab, placed in a bed that has side and tail racks at least 46 inches high, housed in a secured animal container or cage or in a vehicle equipped with means of preventing a dog from getting loose, like a truck cap.

Improperly restraining a dog in the bed of a truck is a $65 citation but can cost even more if tragedy strikes. Wood said she remembers when a dog jumped right out the bed of a moving vehicle on Glacier Highway.

“People think their dogs won’t jump out, but we don’t know,” Wood said. “Dogs are our best friends and part of our family. We really just want to make sure that people know of the easy precautions people can take to make sure they are safe.”


• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265. Follow him on Twitter at @GTPhilson.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 15

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates, Raye Lankford, X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Rochelle Adams pose with the Children’s and Family Emmy Award award Lankford and Twitchell won for co-writing the an episode of the PBS animated children’s show “Molly of Denali.” (Photo courtesy of ‘Wáats’asdiyei Joe Yates)
‘Molly of Denali’ episode wins best writing honor at 2025 Children’s and Family Emmy Awards

First Emmy win for animated PBS show goes to episode co-writers X̱’unei Lance Twitchell and Raye Lankford.

The Tlingit and Haida Elders Group performs the entrance dance at the 89th annual Tribal Assembly of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Trump rescinds Biden executive order expanding tribal sovereignty and self-governance

Order giving Natives more access to federal funds cited in awarding of major Southeast Alaska projects.

The House Finance Committee listens to public testimony about next year’s proposed budget on Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska House budget currently has a ‘full’ PFD of about $3,800. Except it really doesn’t.

Legislators on all sides agree PFD will shrink drastically before floor vote to avoid $2 billion deficit.

Dylan Court and Emily Feliciano-Soto at a rehearsal of “Necessary Nonsense,” a Theater Alaska production debuting Friday. (Photo courtesy of Theatre Alaska)
Middle schoolers bring ‘Necessary Nonsense’ to life in Theater Alaska Kids Company’s debut play

Imagine a world where “Alice in Wonderland” characters mingle with limerick legends… Continue reading

Jonathan Estes, a parent of three students attending the Dzantik’i Heeni campus, testifies for a safe playground at a special Juneau Board of Education meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District submits budget for next school year to Juneau Assembly

The plan assumes $400 BSA hike and no staff vacancies; board also advocates for DH playground.

A totem pole and visitor guide sign on the downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
‘Anecdotal’ signs Juneau’s tourism season may see a dropoff due to Trump’s policies, officials say

Tariffs, talk of recession causing uncertainty and ill will resulting in reports of cancellations.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, March 12, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gabriel von Eisenstein (David Cangelosi) is pulled in two separate directions by his wife Rosalinda (Sara Radke Brown, right) and Rosalinda’s maid, Adele (Kayla Kohlhase, left) during a dress rehearsal of “Die Fledermaus” on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Lyric Opera celebrates a chorus of community for 50th anniversary

German operetta “Die Fledermaus” that launched JLO gets revival with old and new voices Friday night.

Most Read