When humans feel the heat, dogs do too [Lee Hyung-joo’s Non-Human Animal History]

The summer of 2023 was exceptionally hot, with daytime temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius and nighttime heat persisting without relief. The Korea Meteorological Administration recently expanded its standard weather warnings to include a "heatwave emergency alert" for the first time in 18 years. Extreme heat poses significant risks to animals that cannot move to escape the heat, such as livestock.

While guidelines exist for managing the temperature of farmed animals during heatwaves, countless thousands of farm animals still die each summer. Among animals, dogs are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on their owners for shelter and protection. Owners who leave their pets outside in the summer are often criticized for neglecting their basic needs, such as providing shade, water, and a cool resting area.

Social media has been flooded with reports of dogs tethered to building rooftops with no relief from the sun's rays, and even when water and food are provided, it is insufficient. The heat can quickly elevate a dog's body temperature to dangerous levels, leading to dehydration, heatstroke, or even death. The Animal Protection Act defines animal abuse as exposing an animal to conditions that cause physical suffering or injury.

However, merely leaving a dog outside in hot weather does not automatically constitute abuse. Authorities must prove that the environment constituted abuse, which requires substantial evidence. Since the 2018 amendment to the Animal Protection Act, pet owners are legally required to provide a shaded resting area for dogs kept outdoors, but this only becomes a violation if it leads to the dog's death, injury, or illness.

In the United States, 33 states have included "protection from weather" as part of basic pet ownership requirements, with some states, such as Connecticut, Delaware, and Massachusetts, even banning the tethering of dogs outside for more than 15 minutes during extreme weather. A recent amendment to the Animal Protection Act allows for administrative penalties to be imposed before a dog's health deteriorates, providing an important preventive measure.

However, it is impossible to monitor every dog in the country to ensure compliance with these regulations. When heat advisories are issued, people are advised to avoid outdoor activities, and similar warnings should be extended to pet owners to ensure that their animals are protected from the dangers of excessive heat.