Norwalk Police Offer Reminders, Tips To Keep Pets Safe During Hot Weather

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk police have provided reminders and tips to help residents keep pets safe during hot weather.

In a Facebook post Thursday, police asked the public to remember the inside of a parked vehicle can become dangerously hot in minutes.

According to police, interior temperatures can rise by nearly 20°F in just 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked.

"Dogs can develop heatstroke quickly," police wrote on Facebook, "and leaving an animal in a hot vehicle may constitute animal cruelty under Connecticut General Statutes § 53-247."

Police also listed the following ways residents can keep pets safe:

• Never leave your pet unattended in a hot vehicle.

• Watch for signs of heatstroke, including excessive panting, drooling, weakness, discolored gums, unsteady movement or collapse.

• If you see a dog in a vehicle that appears to be in immediate danger or distress, contact the Norwalk Police Department immediately.

The department's full post with additional information can be viewed here.