The onset of warm weather brings with it a host of dangers for your pets. Most notably is leaving pets unattended in cars for a brief stop at a supermarket. It takes only a few minutes for a pet to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. Rolling down a window or parking in the shade does not guarantee protection and you also risk your pet being stolen. Leaving the air conditioner on can be just as dangerous. If the engine stalls, the conditioner will blow hot air and has already proven to be a death trap for a police dog and some family pets.

Leave pets home on warm days. Use a drive-up window for some restaurants, banks and pharmacies. Pet stores are pet-welcome places for your dog. On a trip, bring plenty of fresh drinking water and a bowl. Don't let dogs ride in the back of a pick-up truck as the hot metal can burn a dog's paws. If you see a dog in a vehicle on a hot day, make note of the car make, model, color and license plate. Call the Police as they will be able to respond more quickly than local animal control.

Meet Bear, who was removed by Oceanport (NJ) PD from a car at the Monmouth Raceway at 4:30 p.m. on Memorial Day due to the extreme heat and obvious distress of the dog. The Society's Animal Control Officer picked up the 1 year old male Yorkshire Terrier mix.

The owner was notified by the Police that the dog had been confiscated. The Toms River resident worked and kept the dog crated for 10 hours a day. She gave the dog to a family member who obviously was irresponsible for allowing this to occur. Bear was signed over to the Society to find a loving family who will be its new forever home. The Yorkie mix is good with kids and very sweet. Bear is now at the Society's Tinton Falls facility at 2960 Shafto Road, near the Rt. 33-34 Circle, 732-922-0100. For more information, e-mail us, or stop in and see Bear - we are open 7 days a week. File TF-64838-M.