Dogs should never be left in a hot car. This isn't a new message, it's something we've been shouting from the rooftops for a number of years now, but it's staggering that recent survey results revealed that almost half of people still think there are times when it's okay.
The message is getting through to many people but there are still too many instances where animals are being left in sweltering cars, caravans and conservatories and tragically some of them have deadly consequences, like last summer when four dogs died.
A recent survey of more than 8000 people in Great Britain aged 16+, commissioned by the RSPCA, revealed that only 55% agreed that it is never acceptable to leave a dog in a hot car. This means that a staggering 45% of people still feel there can be acceptable circumstances to leave a dog unattended in a parked vehicle. However, the RSPCA and 11 other organisations — who are working together to raise awareness of the Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign — are united in their views: there is never an excuse to leave a dog in a hot car. ‘Not long’ is too long.
While ignorance is bliss in many circumstances, this most certainly is not one of them.
There is no excuse for owners not to be aware of the dangers associated with leaving any animal in an environment in which they cannot escape the heat or the sun. It doesn't have to be hot outside for temperatures inside a parked car to rise rapidly. Last summer, RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes embarked on an experiment — he left a thermometer inside his parked van for an hour. It was 15oC outside — not hot — but within 60 minutes the temperature inside the van had soared to 43.5oC.
It doesn't have to be a hot day, it doesn't have to be a car, and it doesn't have to be a dog. We've seen dogs dying in cars but we've also, tragically, seen them lose their lives in conservatories. And while generally dogs are most likely to be affected, they are not the only ones this applies to. Last year, a man was convicted for leaving his ferret in a car on a warm day. The ferret lost his life.
We would advise anyone who sees a dog shut in a hot car to contact 999. The police can attend far more quickly than the RSPCA and also have power of entry, unlike RSPCA officers.
We're all working together to ensure no more lives are lost and that's why we're also calling on the nation's vets and veterinary nurses to help us with this campaign. Veterinary professionals have an important part to play in spreading our message that dogs die in hot cars, and also have a greater understanding of why it is so dangerous.
We would ask veterinary nurses to help us raise awareness of the dangers associated with leaving pets in hot environments by having our posters and leaflets on display, and by reminding their clients why it's so important not to take the risk. Any veterinary centres who would like to display our posters and leaflets can download information from our website or request media packs by contacting the RSPCA. https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars
