Animals can be particularly vulnerable to heat. Photo by Mike Diegel.
Montgomery County has released tips for coping with the high temperatures expected today through Wednesday.
People who are at the most risk for heat-related illnesses include risk of heat-related illness include infants and children up to four years of age; individuals 65 and older; people who are ill or on certain medications; and overweight people.
Also, the county has announced that, due to the high heat, the Police Animal Services Division will enforce “Executive Regulation 10-10AM, Anti-Cruelty Conditions for Dogs, Section 11-D, which states, ‘A person must not tether a dog under circumstances that endanger its health, safety, or well-being, including: unattended tethering of a dog during a weather emergency.’”
The penalty for a violation is $500.
Anyone who sees a dog that appears to be tethered or otherwise in distress can call the police non-emergency number at 301.279.8000 or the division directly at 240.773.5900.