'Words fail us': RSPCA investigates tethered dog found dead
The RSPCA has decried the careless and deadly neglect of a dog owner after a tethered pet was found dead in the Queensland heat.
The animal, found in Logan, was allegedly tied up with little to no access to shade or water during warm conditions that have seen bushfires rage in much of the state.
“Words fail us,” RSPCA spokesperson Michael Beatty said in a statement.
“Despite the warnings and despite the help of the media to relay the warnings, some people still aren’t listening.”
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Mr Beatty said RSPCA Queensland became aware of the dog from an anonymous tip and were still waiting to confirm it died from suspected heat stress.
“There’s going to be an autopsy done,” he said. “We have the body with us but we don’t know yet whether charges will be laid.”
Last year, RSPCA Qld received nearly 1500 calls about dogs being left in hot cars and well over 2000 calls about animals being left with no shade and in some cases no water either.
“A dog can survive for days without food, but in these temperatures, if they don’t have shade or can’t reach water they’ll die,” Mr Beatty said.
“A rope or a chain can easily become entangled in furniture or plants and that can be fatal. It’s far better to make the yard or courtyard secure and then it won’t be necessary to tether the dog in the first place.
“We would also recommend that there are at least two to three containers of water in case one gets knocked over.”
It comes as a West Australian dog owner was criticised online after a photo of their dog waiting in a car during a hot 32C Fremantle day was shared online.
“If it’s thirty degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can potentially rise to well over forty degrees in less than five minutes,” Mr Beatty said.
If you see an animal in distress, contact the RSPCA’s 24/7 Animal Emergency Hotline 1300 ANIMAL.
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