Tesco staff patrol car parks looking for dogs left in hot cars

Supermarket staff are patrolling their car parks to look out for any dogs that have been left behind, and could be suffering in the extreme heat.

Tesco staff have been trained in what to look for and what to do if they find a dog in trouble.

The initiative was set up at a number of Tesco branches across the country, reports BirminghamLive.

A Tesco spokesman said: "We're working with the RSPCA & all of our colleagues in store have received training to ensure animal welfare is protected.

“Our colleagues regularly patrol our car parks and are given guidance on what to do if they spot a dog unattended in a car."

The SSPCA has issued a warning over leaving dogs in hot cars.

In a statement on their website, they say: "It may seem like stating the obvious, but never leave your dog in a hot car. We typically get over 1,000 calls a year about animals being left in hot cars, so it’s still a serious issue in Scotland.

"During warm weather, we usually see a surge in calls to our animal helpline about dogs being left in hot vehicles. Our message is simple – don’t risk it. Whether you are nipping to the shop or going out for a few hours, it is not worth taking the chance.

"It only takes a dog a few minutes to overheat in a car. In direct sunlight, temperatures rise quickly inside a motor and this can cause heatstroke or cardiac arrest and ultimately kill a dog.

!We’ve prosecuted people in the past whose dog has died as a result of being left in a hot car – but we wish we didn’t have to. If you #DontRiskIt, your dog won’t be in danger."

The animal welfare experts have also issued some advice for caring for dogs in hot weather.

• Dogs benefit from being walked early in the morning or late at night as pavements can get very hot and burn their paws. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws.
• Cooling bandanas, paddling pools or cold/wet blankets are a great way to help a canine keep cool in the heat.
• If your pet seems uncomfortable, dipping their feet into water or spraying a mist of water onto their face can help.

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