130 pets left in hot cars despite RSPCA warnings
DESPITE a string of warnings, animals are still being left alone in scorching hot cars – with more than 130 incidents reported in Greater Manchester alone.
Shocking figures show that since the beginning of June, nationally the RSPCA has received more than 4,000 calls about animals and heat exposure.
The charity says dog owners and walkers must NEVER leave a pet alone in a car on a warm day, and is warning people of the consequences.
In recent weeks, three dogs have died after being left in vehicles in two separate incidents.
RSPCA bosses have also received countless reports of dogs being rescued from cars by members of the public.
During the recent heatwave, temperatures on some days have peaked above 30c.
Figures show that from June 1-July 24, the RSPCA took 3,832 heat exposure-related calls – 1,800 of which were in July. In Greater Manchester, there were 130 reported incidents, with another 68 in Cheshire.
Holly Barber, Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign manager for the RSPCA, said: “I simply don’t understand how people can possibly think it’s acceptable to leave a dog inside a parked car when temperatures outside are topping 30C.
“It’s absolutely baffling that people who believe they are loving pet owners can even consider this as being acceptable.
“Please, please leave your pets at home in the shade with access to plenty of fresh water during the heatwave.”
Holly said that a recent survey found that attitudes and awareness surrounding the issue is increasing – yet so are the calls.
She added: “Every year we commission a survey to find out people’s awareness and attitudes to this issue.
“At Christmas in 2016 only 55 per cent of people said they would never leave their dog in a car on a warm day.
“This has now risen to 71 per cent (July 2018).
“However, despite this promising data, the RSPCA continues to be inundated with calls from members of the public reporting dogs that have been left in hot cars.
“This is extremely worrying when you consider that our key advice is to call the police on 999 in an emergency.”
Last month, staff at Cheshire Oaks in Ellesmere Port were forced to call police after witnessing a ‘distressed’ dog inside a sweltering hot car, and several weeks ago a dog collapsed and died after suffering heat stroke in Trafford.
The five-year-old German Shepherd took ill as his owner was throwing him a ball to fetch while out on a walk.
The incident in Altrincham sparked a warning from the RSPCA that owners should also avoid exercising pets in ‘excessively hot’ weather.