Your dog could die in a hot car

You may be in a hurry, or the shop may not accept dogs.

However tempting it may be, never leave your dog in the car during summer months. The result could be fatal.

‘Not long’ is too long

Your car can become an oven very quickly even when it doesn’t feel that warm. When it’s 22°C outside, your car can reach an unbearable 47°C within an hour – leaving the window open simply won’t keep your car cool enough.

Nobody thinks it’ll happen to them

Nobody ever thinks it’s going to happen to them or their much-loved pet, yet every year many people still gamble with their dog’s life. Every summer, dogs die in hot cars.

It’s not OK to leave a dog in a car on a warm day, even if the windows are left open or you’ve parked in the shade. Even if the dog doesn’t die, they’ll experience severe distress, discomfort and anxiety.

Dog theft

It’s also important to be aware of opportunists who may be on the lookout for cars with their windows open on hot days. Dog theft from unattended cars has increased significantly in the past couple of years. If you know you’re not going to be able to keep an eye on your dog at all times, it may be safer for them to stay home.

What should you do if you see a dog in a car on a warm day?

First, you should assess the dog’s wellbeing. If they’re showing signs of distress or heatstroke call 999. The police will be best placed to know what to do. Sit tight and wait for them to come. As much as you might want to free the dog by breaking a window, you could get yourself into trouble.

Woodgreen work closely with the RSPCA who advise, “Legally you can cause damage if you can be sure the car owner would consent if they knew the dog was in danger.” If you really need to, make sure you tell the police of your actions and take photos of the dog and contact details of any witnesses.