EASTPOINTE, Mich. – As summer approaches and temperatures rise, Eastpointe Animal Control officers say they’re being inundated with calls about dogs left outdoors for long periods in the heat.
“It’s becoming quite a bit of an issue,” said Ashley Sanchez, the Director of Eastpointe Animal Control, adding that officers have been “non-stop busy this entire week doing welfare checks.”
A photo posted by animal control this week, showing a dog in visible distress, has been circulating on social media and drawing attention to how quickly conditions can become dangerous for pets.
Eastpointe Animal Control said it was 73 degrees when the photo was taken, but the surface temperature told a different story.
In direct sunlight, officers said the concrete measured 115 degrees.
“That dog was in imminent danger,” Sanchez said. “She was heavily panting. You could see that she was in distress. Her life was at risk.”
Sanchez said the city’s dangerous-weather ordinance limits how long pets can be left outside once temperatures climb.
According to Sanchez, when outdoor temperatures exceed 82 degrees, animals in Eastpointe should not be left outside for more than 30 minutes unless their owners are with them.
“Any time the animal is outside 30 minutes and over, if you’re not outside suffering in the sun with them, they are not allowed to be outside either,” Sanchez said.
Neighbor Paul Arnone said he’s noticed more cases of dogs being left outside without basic necessities.
“You see more and more dogs that are just left out in their backyard, and half the time you don’t even see water,” Arnone said.
Animal control officers also demonstrated how they use infrared thermometers to evaluate outdoor conditions, showing concrete temperatures well above the air temperature.
Animal control officers said violations can lead to citations, and in some cases, pets may be removed if conditions are unsafe.
Sanchez urged residents to call if they believe an animal is in danger.
“If you see something, please say something,” she said.
Officials said the owner of the dog featured in the social media photo is now facing multiple misdemeanor charges. If you encounter an animal welfare concern, you can report it to Eastpointe’s non-emergency dispatch.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
