Wychavon warning on leaving dogs in hot cars (From Evesham Journal)

Wychavon warning on leaving dogs in hot cars

9:42am Monday 6th July 2009

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IN light of the recent stories of dogs dying after being left in hot cars, Wychavon District Council is urging dog owners to keep their dogs cool.

The RSPCA and Wychavon District Council receive numerous calls about owners putting their dogs’ lives at risk. Hundreds of dogs die painful deaths because their owners are negligent, and the council is now urging owners not to let their dog become one of these statistics.

Wychavon’s dog warden, Pip Singleton, said: “Contrary to popular belief, leaving a window open or a bowl of water in the car will make little to no difference.

“It is no exaggeration to say it is a painful and prolonged death and is the equivalent to cooking the animal in an oven.”

On hot days, like those experienced recently, temperatures inside a car soar to nearly 50 degrees centigrade in less than an hour. And with one of the hottest summers in recent years being forecast, Pip’s advice to dog owners is simple.

“I plead with all dog owners to leave their pets at home in hot weather wherever possible, although not in a conservatory, greenhouse or caravan, as these can be almost as bad.”

Even on cloudy days dog owners need to be careful, as the weather can change very quickly and soon become hot. So, if dog owners do take their pet out for the day, the council’s advice is to make sure they take a lead and don’t leave the dog in the car.

The council is also reminding dog owners that under new laws introduced to protect animals, they are now more likely to be found liable for causing suffering. Penalties could be a fine of up to £20,000 and/or up to six months in prison.

Anyone seeing a dog left in a car in hot weather should ring the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

For more information go to rspca.org.uk and search for Animal Care/Dogs/Keep Dogs Cool.

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