Officers say dogs should never be left in a car when the temperature is 80 degrees or more. Pets should be fed at least once a day, and get yearly physicals and shots.
GUILFORD COUNTY -- As temperatures rise, animal control is turning up the heat on owners who mistreat their pets.
Less than an hour in to his shift on Monday, Officer Paul Loflin with animal control already had several calls on his roster. He’s one of 12 field officers who police more than 250,000 pets in Guilford Co.
"Our call volume increases in the summer time,” said Field Supervisor Leigh Anne Garrard, who says that resources are stretched particularly thin this time of year with every thing from dogs locked in hot cars to issues with wildlife.
"We do get a lot of calls for animals in the backyards and stuff," Garrard said. One such incident happened on Monday, when a fox wandered in to a townhome community off Holden Road. Moments later, Loflin got a call about a woman trapped inside her home by a pair of pit bulls.
As temperatures rise, animal control is turning up the heat on owners who mistreat pets.
By the time he arrived, the dogs were back in their yard. Loflin said the owner wasn't off the hook. "Dogs get loose, they break lose. They jump fences. Usually it's just a warning. If it's excessive -- two or three times a week -- they'll get a citation."
It’s a warning Garrard hopes all owners will heed.
"[Officials] want to make sure that the dog has food, water and shelter,” she said. “They want to make sure that the animal is being provided with the necessary medical care. They're also looking for rabies shots."
Those who don't can expect a knock on the door and a hefty fine
"We don't want to have people arrested, but if that's what it comes down to we will do what it takes to take care of the animals," said Garrard.
Officers say dogs should never be left in a car when the temperature is 80 degrees or more. Pets should be fed at least once a day, and get yearly physicals and shots.
For more information on the proper way to care for your pet, call the Guilford County Animal Control. That number is (336) 641-5990.