Dog locked in a hot car? Here’s what the RSPCA says you should do

The animal charity says dogs should never be left inside a car during warm weather, as the inside of a vehicle can rapidly heat up and any dog left inside can very quickly suffer the effects of heat stroke.

That’s the warning from the RSPCA, who are urging dog owners to never leave their pets in cars, caravans, vans, sheds, outbuildings, or conservatories during the heatwave.

And the charity is issuing advice to the public about three simple steps they should follow if they come across a dog in a hot car:

Check the dog—if the dog seems okay, then try to find their owner and monitor them closely. But if the dog is distressed or showing any worrying signs (such as heavy panting, excessive drooling, or confusion), then you need to act quickly.

Contact police—call police on 999 to give them all of the information so they can send officers out. Police have the legal power to break into a vehicle to save a dog’s life. If you feel the urgency is immediate and you intend to break the dog out of the vehicle yourself, then you should make police aware and ask others around you to document it by taking photos or filming.

Cool the dog down—move the dog to the shade as quickly as possible and cool them off with cold water, and contact a local vet for advice.

Poster (Image: RSPCA)

RSPCA dog welfare expert Eloise Dicks said: “Breaking the window or forcing entry to a car can be someone’s instant reaction—but could be classed as criminal damage.

“However, legally, you can commit damage if you believe the owner would consent to it if they knew the dog was in danger.

“We’d advise anyone in this position to tell the police what they’re planning to do and ask other witnesses to provide names and numbers in case they’re needed to back up what has happened.

“Emotions can run high in these sorts of difficult situations but the most important thing is keeping everyone safe and getting help for the dog as soon as possible.”

How to help a dog suffering heat stroke

The best thing to do if a dog is overheating is to cool first and transport second.

Act fast to prevent the dog from further heating and remove them from the source of the heat.

Get them out of the sun and into shade.

Cool the dog by pouring water over their body (not their head) or create a breeze by fanning them.

Contact a vet for advice and, once their temperature has cooled, transport them to the nearest vet; put the air-con on or open the windows to keep them cool.