Animal Control officers responded to a report of a dog left in a vehicle with the windows closed in the parking lot at Copper Mountain last week, discovering that the dog did not initially appear to be in distress.
According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, the officers attempted to contact the vehicle’s owner but were unable to access the correct phone number. As the day continued and the temperature continued to rise, the dog’s condition clearly deteriorated.
The animal became lethargic, began to drool, and was visibly panting rapidly. The Animal Control officers contacted law enforcement and together they unlocked the vehicle door and freed the dog. Upon rescue, the vehicle’s internal temperature was recorded at just over 105°F while the dog’s body temperature was nearly 103°F.
The dog was brought to the Summit County Animal Shelter for observation while the owner was cited for endangering the health of a pet confined in a vehicle.