INDIANAPOLIS — During this heat wave, Indianapolis Animal Care Services has received hundreds of calls of dogs being left outside for hours.
With that many calls, it can be difficult for crews to manage all of them, so one local organization stepped up to take some calls.
13News followed Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside (FIDO) as they went to several houses where dogs have been out for hours.
"We've seen some bad things out there," Darcie Kurtz, FIDO executive director, said.
During these calls, FIDO crews will provide dog owners with new crates, fresh water or any other resources they may need.
FIDO cannot take dogs out of homes, so they rely on IACS officers to take that next step.
FIDO wants dog owners to know not only can it be dangerous keeping dogs outside, but it can violate city code.
"Most of the time, these care and treatment violations are civil cases where they get fined, potentially get their dog impounded, but it can be criminal if it's proven if this was intentional cruelty," Kurtz said.
If you see a dog outside in your neighborhood, you may see them experience heat exhaustion. Signs to look out for are:
- Panting
- Excessively drinking water
- Aggression
- Collapses
FIDO says the best thing to do to keep your dog safe is take breaks if your dog needs to go outside and give them plenty of fresh water.
To report a dog in your neighborhood. you can call the FIDO hotline at 317-221-1314 or email them at info@fidoindy.org.