Cobb County police officers shattered a car window outside Town Center at Cobb in Kennesaw on Monday afternoon to pull out a distressed Rottweiler after a shopper reported the dog was panting and struggling inside a parked vehicle. Once officers got the animal out of the blue Hyundai Elantra, it was hyperventilating, and police later measured the interior temperature at up to 148 degrees Fahrenheit. The dog received care at the scene, and the vehicle’s registered owner was taken into custody.
Police: Interior Temperature Hit 148°F
According to Atlanta News First, a 911 caller told dispatchers the car’s windows were nearly all the way up and the Rottweiler looked extremely hot. Cobb County records cited by the outlet indicate the dog had been left inside for about 30 minutes before officers intervened. The owner, identified as Miles Dickey, was arrested and later released on a $2,500 bond.
Animal Services Warn How Fast Cars Heat Up
WSB-TV reports that Cobb County Animal Services Director Steve Hammond used infrared thermometers to show how extreme in-car temperatures can get. A dashboard hit 161 degrees, while other interior areas ranged from 100 to 113 degrees. The agency said it has already investigated nine hot-car calls involving animals this year and used this rescue as a reminder that enclosed vehicles can become life-threatening for pets in a short period of time.
Vets Urge Fast Cooling And A Trip To The Clinic
Veterinarians told Atlanta News First that classic signs of heat exhaustion in pets include heavy panting, dark red gums, vomiting, weakness and collapse. They recommended cooling an overheated animal with cool, not ice-cold, water and getting it to a veterinary clinic immediately. Dr. Helena Bentley also warned that a child can suffer heat stroke in as little as five to 15 minutes in similar conditions, underscoring the danger for both animals and children left in hot cars.
What Authorities Say About The Arrest
WSB-TV notes that officers broke the driver’s-side window to remove the dog from the vehicle. Investigators then arrested and charged the owner in connection with the incident. Local officials had not immediately released details on the exact charges, and reporting relied on county records for procedural information.
If You See A Pet Trapped In A Hot Car, Call 911
Veterinary advice is to contact 911 before doing anything else and to try to locate the owner instead of acting on your own, according to Preventive Vet. The site stresses that slowly cooling an overheated pet and seeking prompt veterinary care are essential, since complications from heatstroke can surface hours after the initial emergency appears to be over.
