Locals stay pro-active for pets safety

If you plan on taking your pet outside when it’s hot just know officials could charge you with neglect if they see the animal dehydrated.

Many pet owners we talked to in Yuma say they wait till temps cool down.

“We like to take trips to the dog park when it’s nice and cool in the evenings. That’s our best time,” says Yuma resident Ginger Lauss.

Bark Park in Yuma located on Palo Verde Street off of Pacific Avenue get’s pretty busy every early morning and evening, according to local dog owners.

“We love this park it’s absolutely beautiful and Bobby loves it,” says Lauss.

During the summer months, Charlie McMurdie with Rural Metro says many residents rely on them for rescue when the chances of dehydration increase.

“Well every year we have hikers that hike Telegraph Pass and every year we go up there with them whether it’s to rescue them or cool them off or take them to a hospital for an unfortunate event. We’re there for them,” says McMurdie.

Last year Phoenix banned animals from hiking trails when temperatures raised to 100 degrees. While Yuma doesn’t have any laws from taking your pets out in the heat, law enforcement officials say they do look for signs of neglect.

If you plan on taking your dog outside when it’s hot, test the sidewalk with your hand. If it’s to hot for you, chances are it’s too hot for your animal.

We asked pet owners what they did to keep their animals safe.

“Well you don’t go out in direct heat that’s for sure. So we kind of dance around and change our hours,” says Yuma Resident Gary Evans.

“Usually I bring him (his dog) when the sun goes down around 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. once the floor gets cooled off because their paws are really sensitive. We try to buy them boots if we really have to walk them during the day,” says Yuma resident Alejandro Martinez.