Warwickshire Police issues warnings on dog safety in heatwave
The force is is urging people to care for their dogs properly in the hot weather
Warwickshire Police is urging people to care for their dogs properly in the hot weather.
The force says it's a common misconception is that it’s ok to leave a dog in a car if it’s parked in the shade or the windows are open - but a car can become as hot as an oven, even when the weather doesn't feel that warm outside.
When it is hot and sunny, the car’s internal temperature could reach double the outside temperature within an hour. It's very dangerous and leaving your dog unsupervised will cause your dog harm.
Dogs succumb to heatstroke quickly in hot weather as they cannot sweat in the same way that humans can. This means they are unable to cool themselves as easily. This is why it’s important to avoid walking your dog during the hottest parts of the day. Instead, head out early in the morning or later in the evening when it's cooler. This will protect their paws from the hot ground, too.
The force's Dog Legislation Officers (DLO’s) have provided some advice about what to do in situations like this.
What to do if you see a dog in a hot car
If you see a dog left in a hot car who is in distress, dial 999 and ask for the police. A dog in distress in a hot car is an emergency and the police will advise you what to do based on the situation. Provide as much detail as you can.
Distress may look like: displaying signs of heatstroke such as heavy panting, drooling excessively or collapse.
While your instinct might be to smash a window and break into the car, without proper justification, this could be classed as committing criminal damage.
Take pictures and/or videos of the dog in distress and make a note of the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
If the dog doesn't seem distressed but you still have concerns, take these actions:
Try to work out how long the car has been there for. Look for evidence like a pay and display parking ticket.
Make a note of where the car is parked, the time you noticed the dog inside, and the vehicle registration. You may need to pass this information to the police later, if you feel the dog becomes distressed.
Learn more about heatstroke and safe walking times here and take a look at this useful graphic about safe temperatures here