By Jolene Ogle
Pet owners are being urged to carefully exercise their pets in the heat, with one Noosa Today reader shocked to see a dog being dragged behind a bike by its owner on a hot day.
In a letter to the editor, Tewantin resident Erica Bartlett said she was distressed to see a dog that appeared to be tired, being “dragged” behind a bike.
Ms Bartlett said she often see people riding their bikes with their dogs running along behind them and has called the practice “upsetting at the best of times, but in the extreme heat we have been experiencing, it is plain outright cruelty”.
“Recently I watched a young cattle dog, about six months old, being dragged along with rope around its neck. The poor animal was obviously struggling to keep up and at one stage tried to get to the footpath but was yanked back onto the hot bitumen road,” she said.
“Can’t the owners of these animals realise they could die from exhaustion and heat stress?”
Ms Bartlett called on owners to show compassion and common sense when exercising pets, especially during the hot weather.
“A dog with a rope around its neck being dragged along behind a bike cannot let you know when it is exhausted and stressed,” she said.
Noosa Village Vet owner and veterinary surgeon Pieter Serfontein said he understood Ms Bartlett’s concerns but said exercising a dog while riding could be good for pets, if they’re well and fit.
“We have several clients who exercise their dogs by letting them run along while cycling. This can be a great way to exercise as long as the dog is fit and healthy as well as able for the exercise,” he said.
“I think it is extremely important to know the limits of what your dog is capable of. Certain breeds (like Kelpies and Border Collies) are more athletic than others, and actually need more exercise than breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs.”
Dr Serfontein said there were a few points to consider when exercising dogs:
– Exercise early in the morning or late afternoon when it is cooler. Avoid exercising in the middle of the day, especially when we experience heat waves.
– Make sure your dog is hydrated and is kept hydrated. Take water with you and have frequent rest and water stops.
– Use shaded areas or exercise on the beach or in water.
– Make sure the surface you exercise your pet on is not too hot. Even the sand can get extremely hot during the middle of the day. Avoid roads as these get extremely hot and can cause severe damage to your dog’s paws.
“If you are unsure about the type of exercise your dog needs contact your vet to discuss what would be appropriate for the specific age and breed,” Dr Serfontein said.
