Not long is too long for dogs in cars
OVER the past two weeks, as temperatures have soared to the high 20s, the RSPCA has received 625 calls about animals and hot environments – the majority of which relate to dogs left in hot cars.
That is almost two calls every hour, despite the charity’s key advice being to call the police on 999 in the event of an emergency.
Despite years of campaigning, people continue to risk their dogs’ lives by leaving them unattended in stationary vehicles in the warm weather.
The following are reasons and excuses given to RSPCA inspectors by owners returning to their vehicles with dogs left inside:
■ “My dog is white, he’ll be fine.”
■ “They’re fine, they’re smiling?” (The dogs weren’t smiling, they were panting excessively.)
■ “I parked the car in the shade when I got here, I can’t help it if the shade moved.”
■ “We only went to buy a new kitchen.”
■ “The dog barks when I leave it alone in the house, it annoys the neighbours.”
■ “We feel bad leaving him at home on his own all day.”
■ “I’m having an open day to sell my house, the dogs would have been in the way.”
■ “It’s OK, I’m a vet.”
■ “It’s not like my dog’s on its own in the car, my kid is with it.” (On this occasion ‘the kid’ was a fivemonth-old baby strapped into a car seat.)
■ “I left the window open.”
■ “We didn’t think we’d be long.” (The owners had been at a Sunday service at church.)
■ “I’ve only been in the pub for half an hour, anyway it’s OK, I run a dog rescue centre.”
The RSPCA message is clear – ‘not long is too long’ – and we urge anybody with a dog not to take the risk and to leave their pet at home.
Temperatures can rise quickly in cars, caravans and even conservatories.
When it’s 22°C outside, within an hour the temperature can reach 47°C inside a vehicle, vehicle which can result in death.
On Monday June 25 – the hottest day of the year so far – the RSPCA emergency hotline received 167 calls – that is around one call every eight minutes.
RSPCA officers and police were called to York Hospital car park to reports of two dogs shut in a car.
Police removed the Labradors from the vehicle and an RSPCA officer rushed them to a vet for treatment for heat exhaustion.
The animal welfare charity is now c caring for the dogs, who have made a full recovery, and has launched an investigation.
RSPCA campaign manager Holly B Barber, who runs the Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign, said: “There is absolutely no reason or excuse that warrants risking your pet’s life by leaving them in a car on their own in t this heat.
“People don’t believe it will happen to them or they tell themselves they’ll only be a minute, b but it simply isn’t good enough.
“We’re pleading with people not to take the risk and to leave their pets at home where they will be safe and happy.”
A dog’s normal body temperature is around 39°C (102°F). Although the upper lethal body temperature of dogs is approximately 42°C (108°F), brain damage may develop at body temperatures of 41°C (106°F).
Dogs are covered in fur and do not sweat in the same way as humans do. Unlike humans, dogs pant to help keep themselves cool. The effectiveness of panting is reduced at high temperatures and humidities. Cars heat up very rapidly in hot – or even warm – weather. Air-conditioning can disguise the danger that a dog will face once the engine is turned off.
In an emergency, it is best to dial 999 and report a dog in a hot car to police. The RSPCA may not be able to attend quickly enough and, with no powers of entry, we would need police assistance at such an incident.
If the animal is displaying any sign of heatstroke, such as panting heavily, drooling excessively, is lethargic or uncoordinated, or collapsed and vomiting, call 999 immediately.
For more information about what to do if you are worried about a dog in a hot car or a dog displaying signs of heatstroke, see the RSPCA website or call 0300 1234 999 for advice.
If a dog is in danger, dialling 999 should always be the first step.