The recent heatwave across Britain has led to health officials issuing warnings as temperatures continue to soar.
While people may think they can gauge just how hot a car can get for their furry friends during weather like this, the RSPCA has highlighted that even a relatively milder day of 22 degrees can make your car’s internal temperature reach an unbearable 47 degrees in an hour.
Leaving dogs in the car during the spring and summer seasons can, thus, be very dangerous, and lead to them suffering from heatstroke and passing away.
🚗🌞 Did you know that when it's 22°C outside, a car could reach 47°C inside within an hour? Even if you're parked in the shade or the windows are open, temperatures can soar 🌡️
— RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) May 26, 2023
Find out what to do if you see a dog in a car this summer: https://t.co/W8jWuSoyXE #DogsDieInHotCars pic.twitter.com/I9ei7JASkS
What to do if you spot a dog in a hot car
If you spot a dog left alone in a vehicle on a warm day, the RSPCA recommends that you try to assess the dog’s condition and gauge if they are showing symptoms of heatstroke. If they are, you should call 999 immediately to seek help.
If the dog’s condition seems critical but the police haven’t arrived yet, you might have the urge to break the window, but this could be classed as criminal damage and see you taken to court. So, unless you know that the car owner would consent to it if they knew their dog was in danger, you should avoid doing this.
If you’re sure that the dog needs to be free or they will be beyond the point of recovery, the RSPCA suggests that you call the police and tell them about your intentions beforehand. Then, take photos and videos of the dog as evidence of why you feel your actions are necessary. If there are any witnesses around, you should also take their names and phone numbers so they can vouch for the event.
If the dog doesn’t appear in distress, you can leave them in the car. You’re recommended to try to work out how long the dog has been in the vehicle, note the car’s registration plate in case you want to notify the police about the situation, and see if there is any way you can find the owner of the car. For instance, if you’re by a supermarket, you could ask the staff to make an announcement about it.