Dog left on hot Pleasanton balcony perishes from heat stroke before rescuers can save it

A dog that succumbed to heat stroke on a Pleasanton apartment balcony this week was the victim of an accident and not of neglect, Pleasanton police said.

Police were alerted Tuesday about a dog seen on an apartment balcony near Gibraltar and Hacienda drives. The caller said the dog was barking, whining, and exposed to the sun. A Pleasanton Animal Services officer contacted the leasing office to quickly locate the dog's owner, but the effort was unsuccessful.

Within 15 minutes of being dispatched to the call, officers arrived on scene to find the dog dead.

"We understand a video of the dog was circulating on social media prior to the initial report, generating hundreds of comments from the community," police said on social media. "This is a disturbing and tragic incident, and we recognize the concern and interest from those who care about animal welfare."

Police said Thursday they investigated and looked at video evidence and determined the dog inadvertently let itself out onto the balcony and succumbed to heat stroke while the owner was away from the residence.

The video footage indicated the dog exited the apartment between 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., and subsequent evidence confirms that the dog was unable to regain entry into the apartment unbeknownst to the owner.

"This is a disturbing and tragic incident, and we recognize the concern and interest from those who care about animal welfare."

Pleasanton Police Department

A neighborhood canvass, which includes interviews with multiple neighbors, revealed no signs of animal cruelty or neglect. Police said they thoroughly investigated allegations of animal neglect reported to the leasing office, and the allegations were unfounded.

Police said they received no prior calls for service regarding the animal's welfare.

"We kindly request that the public show respect for all parties involved, particularly the dog owner during this time of grief," police said on social media. "Due to the high volume of calls and public concern regarding this incident, we will be increasing police patrols in the neighborhood."

Police said a veterinarian confirmed the cause of death was heat stroke, with no other signs of injury or neglect. They said fatal heat stroke can occur within an hour of exposure to direct sunlight.

Police said they want to emphasize the importance of acting quickly involving animal welfare concerns. If someone sees something, they should report it immediately rather than waiting to share it on social media. With hot weather, it is crucial to keep all animals cool indoors and ensure they have access to water.