By admin 
YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — As temperatures climb across the Desert Southwest this week, animal advocates in Yuma are asking city leaders to adopt stronger protections for pets left outside in dangerous heat.
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The push comes after the City of Phoenix last month renewed and strengthened its ordinance aimed at protecting animals during extreme temperatures. Now, some Yuma residents want their city to consider similar rules, including limits on tethering dogs outdoors.
Petition calls for tougher protections
On social media, a petition with about 400 signatures is circulating, urging Yuma leaders to strengthen pet safety rules related to tethering and humane treatment.
“Pets depend on us, and if we aren’t going to do anything about it … who is going to protect them,” said Kimberly Wright, a local dog rescuer.
Wright said she supports the petition because she believes neglect in extreme heat is a real issue and animals need more protection.
Wright shared photos on Facebook of a dog tied up around her neighborhood, and the post drew widespread attention.
“I can tell he couldn’t reach his water bowl — so I posted this on Facebook, and I posted it publicly, and for some unknown reason it went crazy, and it went over, I believe, 25,000 views,” Wright said.
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City response and enforcement questions
Wright said the post also caught the attention of the Humane Society of Yuma and a Yuma City Council member, who she said she plans to bring forward a proposal similar to what Phoenix passed.
“She said she is going to present the city council with a law that is very similar to what Phoenix just passed, and that didn’t happen at the last city council meeting, and I’m hoping it happens this next one,” Wright said.
The Yuma Police Department confirmed it investigated the dog Wright photographed. An official said animal control contacted the owner and determined the dog had food and water.
Arizona’s Family reached out to the Yuma City Council for comment on a proposal, and we are waiting to hear back.
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