Firefighters in San Antonio raced to respond to a call about two dogs left outside on an apartment balcony in the scorching Texas heat on Sunday.  

When Kimberly Bohl saw a post about the dogs on Facebook she reported it to the city via 311.

Since the dogs’ location was close to her home she drove over to see what was going on. “I was very worried about them because it was so hot,” Bohl told Watchdog Mary. “When I checked the temperature on my phone it said ‘heat index 106 degrees.’”

When she arrived she saw police and animal control officers at the building investigating. Then the fire department pulled up.

“From what I could tell it looked like they decided to leave water, and not take the dogs. Both dogs were alert, but in my opinion panting really heavy,” Bohl said.   

The head of San Antonio Animal Control Services, (ACS), Heber Lefgren emailed Watchdog Mary saying, “ACS did make a visit to this location and it is still being investigated. The owner was not home at the time of our initial visit, however ACS was able to request and receive assistance from PD (police) and Fire who helped us check on the dogs' well being by utilizing a ladder truck.”  

Lefgren said the dogs’ water bowl was knocked over so the fire department gave them a refill. The owner was not home when emergency crews arrived but Lefgren said ACS followed up and is now issuing citations.

“There were basic violations observed (such as no shelter, shade, and a water bowl that had been knocked over), but the two dogs were in healthy condition.  Because the dogs were not in an exigent situation, we were unable to seize the dogs.  However, we continue to work the case and the owner to ensure that the minimum standards of care are provided,” Lefgren said.

After watching the entire situation Bohl has a message for pet owners who leave their animals outside in the heat, “Don’t do it. If you truly love your doggie, they can become very ill or die,” she said.