Dog dies in hot car on Bainbridge; second case in week

A black lab dog died Thursday after being left for several hours in a hot car on Bainbridge Island.

It's the second dog to die in a hot car in the area in the past week.

In the Bainbridge Island case, the dog's owner told police she had forgotten she had left her dog in the stifling hot car for some time.

The temperature outside ranged from 70 to 80 degrees Thursday, but the temperature in the car ranged from 110 to 120 degrees and the windows were closed, according to Bainbridge police.

The woman told police she returned home about 11 a.m. and forgot the female dog, named Bear, had been in the car with her. She began searching for her dog several hours later and found her in the car.

Police believe the dog may have been in the car for four hours.

Sue Shultz of the Bainbridge police said "it doesn't take long to affect a dog in this heat."

Police said the woman was "inconsolable" when she called them to say her dog was dead.

The Kitsap County Animal and Rescue enforcement office will investigate and may forward the case to the county prosecutor for possible charges.

In the other case, a pit bull died last Sunday while its owners were at Hempfest, according to Don Jordan, with Seattle Animal Control.

He said the owners, realizing their dog was not allowed at the festival, put the dog in their car at 6 p.m. and when they returned to their car at 8 p.m. the dog was dead.

He said Animal Control will refer the case to the city attorney's office for possible charges

Police said the dogs' deaths are a reminder that people should leave their animals at home if the temperature is over 70 degrees.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com