Alexandria Police Officer Rescues Dog from Hot Car

Animal Control officers in Alexandria deal with a variety of calls every week. Here's a glance at some recent incidents in the city courtesy of Patrick Egan of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Dog in hot car — An Alexandria police officer saved a dog from potential harm this week at Potomac Yard Shopping Center.

On Aug. 10, an Animal Control officer was dispatched to the shopping center’s parking lot in the 3600 block of Jefferson Davis Highway.  Someone reported a dog confined to a car for more than an hour.

An Alexandria police officer arrived at the scene first and observed the dog leaning against the car window and panting heavily. 

Sensing the dog was facing harm, the police officer removed the dog from the car before Animal Control arrived. The police officer then took the dog into shade and gave it some water.

Upon arrival, the Animal Control officer took several temperature readings of the interior of the car, which ranged from 98 degrees to 178 degrees. The dog showed no signs of harm.

The owners later returned to the car and were educated by both officers on the dangers of leaving an animal in a hot car. The Animal Control officer then issued a citation to the owners.

Alexandria Animal Control reminds pet owners that leaving an animal confined to a car with no running air conditioning when the outside temperature is 70 degrees or higher is a Class 3 misdemeanor. An animal in such a car can suffer brain damage from heat stroke, or even die, in as little as 15 minutes.

Possum stuck in window well — On Aug. 14, an Animal Control officer was dispatched to the unit block of E. Oxford Avenue because a possum had moved into a window well and was unable to climb out.

The officer placed a fallen tree branch into the well and the possum was able to climb to freedom on its own.

Last week, Animal Control confiscated a pet raccoon in the same block.

For more information about Alexandria Animal Control, visit the AWLA website.