Midwest heatwave claims the lives of 8 dogs during an uncooled drive

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Eight dogs succumbed to extreme heat injuries as they were transported in an air conditioning-deficient cargo van across North Indiana on Thursday night, as per official reports.

The tragic fatalities were among 18 shepherds being transported from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to a training facility in Michigan City, Indiana, as disclosed by law enforcement.

The van’s driver, who remains unidentified by the police, admitted he was oblivious to the malfunctioning air conditioning in the cargo compartment until he became alerted by frantic barking. He subsequently halted his vehicle off Interstate 94 at a gas station and convenience store in Lake Station, Indiana. On opening the van’s rear, he discovered several dogs had perished while others were in severe distress. Many shop employees and bystanders assisted in tending to the dogs.

Jennifer Webber, who leads the Humane Society of Hobart, arrived at the scene at 7:40 p.m. and noted the dogs were exhibiting symptoms of heatstroke: excessive salivation, staggering, vomiting, and convulsions.

She reported that several dogs were already deceased upon her arrival, with others deteriorating rapidly. “The crates inside the van were completely destroyed and the tiny water bowls, no bigger than what you’d offer a parrot, were empty and shredded as if the dogs were desperately trying to quench their thirst,” Webber added.

The incident was described as a “freak accident” by the Lake Station Police Department in an online statement. Additional comment requests via phone and email were sent to the police station on Saturday.

The police statement argued the incident wasn’t a deliberate act of animal cruelty or negligence but was due to an unforeseen breakdown of the AC unit in the cargo compartment.

However, Webber claimed to have encountered resistance when she attempted to collect information for her investigation. The supervising officer suggested she leave, attributing the deaths to an unfortunate accident to be addressed by the owner.

Webber disclosed the van’s owner, who was also the driver, was confrontational and refused to present health certificates, a standard requirement for inter-state canine transportation. Given the day’s heatwave, with indices surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius), Webber cast doubt on any vet approving the journey.

Webber criticized the owner for his reckless decision to travel, despite the extreme weather conditions. Further, she expressed dismay at the police’s decision to allow the owner to depart, with several deceased and critically ill dogs in unsecured crates.

She intended to inspect the vehicle, crates, and dogs, which she saw as key evidence in this case. To her dismay, five of the dogs were taken to veterinary hospitals in ambulances intended for humans, instead of the available humane society vans on-site. She initiated a seizure notice for the dogs upon their discharge, as per Lake Station regulations, which allow for the confinement of any dog suspected of being abused or neglected.

Nonetheless, she alleges the Lake Station police thwarted the order, instructing the hospitals to return the dogs to the owner upon recovery. This marks a first in her five-year tenure working with Lake Station, Webber concluded.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Heat-related dog deaths

More about Heat-related dog deaths

• News coverage of the Midwest dog tragedy
• Humane Society of Hobart’s statement on the incident
• Lake Station Police Department’s statement
• O’Hare International Airport’s canine transportation policies
• Heatstroke symptoms in dogs