Police: Dog Owner Put Golden Retriever in Peril

Fairfax County Police reported today (Friday) that they charged a local man with inadequate animal care this week.

The incident took place in the 5800 block of Kingstowne Blvd. on Tuesday afternoon, at 12:41 p.m. According to the National Weather Service, the high temperature on Tuesday was 91 degrees.

Animal Control Officers were called to the parking lot for a dog left in a vehicle with its windows closed.

The owner, Mark Burneko, 62, of Alexandria, was charged with inadequate animal care. The Golden Retriever appeared to be unharmed, according to FCPD.

Fairfax County Animal Control Officers respond to dozens of reports of animals locked in hot cars in parking lots each summer and urge pet owners to keep pets at home on hot days.

Pet owners are urged to remember the following tips:

• Never leave pets in a parked car. On a warm day, temperatures can rapidly rise to dangerous levels. If you see an animal in distress in a parked car, contact police. Even with the windows slightly open, the temperature in a car on a 93-degree day can soar to 125 degrees in just 20 minutes and approximately 140 degrees in 40 minutes.
• Shade and water are vital to pets. Pet owners must provide adequate shelter protecting animals from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, direct sunlight, and adverse effects of heat or cold. A dog house in the backyard with no access to shade does not protect animals from sun.
• Limit exercise on hot days. Take care to adjust intensity and duration of exercise. Watch for shortness of breath and remember that asphalt gets very hot and can burn paws; walk your dog on the grass if possible.
• If your pet shows any of the following signs contact your veterinarian immediately:
  • heavy panting
  • glazed eyes
  • rapid heartbeat
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • dizziness
  • restlessness
  • excessive thirst
  • profuse salivation
• Take steps to reduce the animal’s body temperature; apply ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck and chest, provide water and ice cubes for hydration, and move the animal into the shade or air-conditioning.

PHOTO: Patch archive