Dogs Die From Heatstroke In Wallingford: Animal Control

WALLINGFORD, CT — In the wake of two dogs dying from heatstroke during this week’s extreme heat and humidity, Wallingford Animal Control officials are urging residents to take the necessary precautions to prevent these tragedies from happening again. Officials shared the tragic news on Tuesday afternoon that a beloved dog, who had been adopted from the shelter, had died a “painful and agonizing death” from heatstroke. Then on Tuesday evening, officials confirmed that a second dog was found dead in an incident that was completely unrelated to the first one.

Animal Control officials wrote a post on Facebook alerting residents to the first dog’ death, they said, “not to shame anyone or to call anyone out. We simply hope that we can prevent something like this from happening again.” (To sign up for Wallingford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

“One of our shelter alumnus was left outside by the family's nanny yesterday for several hours without water,” officials wrote in the post. “Sadly, when the dog's owners returned home from work, they found her lifeless body in the yard. They rushed her to the veterinarian, who tragically confirmed she had suffered and died from heat stroke.

“Although we have not yet been able to question the person responsible for leaving the dog out for an extended period in this heat, all we know is that she died a painful and agonizing death.”

Animal Control officials stressed that the dog was very much-loved by her family and was “extremely well cared for and adored.”

“We do not blame the adopters for this tragic event,” officials wrote. “However, the bottom line is that this pup lost her life, and it was 110% preventable.

“You always hear warnings of not leaving dogs in cars on hot days. We are sharing this story so that you will not leave your dogs outside in this heat for any length of time either. If they are outside, you MUST provide cool water for them. Even with water, though, this heat and humidity is suffocating, and it does not take very long for a dog to be in distress.

“Please learn from this tragic accident. Please share this information. Let's work together so that this never happens again.”

In a follow-up post late Tuesday night, officials said that another dog was found dead outside by a neighbor in an incident completely unrelated to the first dog.

“This dog also appears to have suffered from heat stroke,” officials wrote. “We want to educate the public, and prevent this from happening again. Both of these dogs were young, healthy dogs. No dog is immune to this heat.”

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