A BORDER vet has renewed calls for people to take care of animals in the heat, after a dog burned its paws while standing on the back of a ute on Wednesday.
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Hume and Melrose Animal Hospital veterinarian Hollie Palmer said there had been more animals presenting with burn injuries.
She said if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for the pet.
“If you put the back of your hand on a surface and can't keep it there for three seconds, it's too hot,” Dr Palmer said.
“You can buy shell pools for pets, walk them on the grass instead of the road and make sure they have shade and water.”
A crowd gathered around a utility in Olive Street to give the dog shade and water.
Chemist Warehouse employee Bonnie Moore said she had been standing out the front of her work place when she saw the pet panic.
“It was looking over the edge of the ute and suddenly it jumped out,” Ms Moore said.
“It was hanging from it's lead and collar.
“I ran straight over and another lady also came to help get it back on the ute.”
Ms Moore observed the dog with two colleagues, a bystander and employees from the Hume Bank.
They called the police and waited about 40 minutes until the owner returned.
“We put our hands on the ute tray and it was hot – it was burning the dog's paws,” Ms Moore said.
Hume Bank receptionist Cathy Clarke said she found cardboard for the dog to sit on.
“The owner came back and they weren't impressed with us at all,” she said.
“It was a black dog and was extremely hot and distressed.
“It was really busy in town and people left work and helped on their lunch breaks which was amazing to see.”
