MILLIONS of Brits have ignored dogs left abandoned in sizzling hot cars.
But many drivers are confused about what their rights are if they find an abandoned pet in a locked motor.
As the UK swelters on one of the hottest days ever, drivers are urged not to leave their pets in the car.
Even when the temperature is a normal 22C, a car can reach a dangerous 47C within an hour.
Some people think leaving the window open a crack or parking in the shade is enough to keep a dog comfortable, but the RSPCA advises that that’s not the case.
A recent study conducted by Confused.com used a toy dog with barking noises to test how many passersby would intervene on a hot day.
What to do when you see a distressed dog trapped in a car
1. Call the police and ask for their assistance
2. If the police can’t attend but the dog is in desperate need of help you may consider taking further action
3. Explain to the police what you intend to do
4. Take a photo of the dog trapped in the car
5. Take the name and number of any witnesses
6. If you do forcibly gain access to the car you should be willing to defend your actions in court
Shockingly, only one in 100 Brits attempted to rescue the distressed dog stuck in sweltering car.
But one in five drivers who didn’t intervene were confused about their rights, while 17 per cent didn’t know the best course of action to take.
Common signs that an animal is struggling from overheating include heavy panting, excessive drooling, lethargy, lack of coordination and vomiting.
If you find a dog showing signs of heat stroke, call the the police immediately, instead of the RSPCA.
In some cases, you may need to smash the window to gain access to the vehicle.
But before doing this, it’s important to gather evidence and inform the police of your intentions.
You may be asked to defend your decision in court, so you should take photos of the dog and get names and contact details of any witnesses.
Once the dog is freed from the car, take it to a shaded area and give them a small amount of water.
You will also need to douse them in cool water until their breathing starts to settle.
In severe cases, you may need to rush them to the vet as a matter of urgency.
Holly Barber, campaign manager at the RSPCA, said: “Unsurprisingly, we always see a spike in the number of reports to our hotline when there’s a heatwave.
“And also during the school holidays and bank holidays, when families are more likely to take their dogs out with them for the day, or take them away for a break.
“This isn’t a new message and it’s not a difficult one to explain. Dogs die in hot cars, so don’t leave them in a car.
“And if you do see one, please call the police – who’ll be able to attend more quickly than us, and who have powers of entry to the vehicle.”
Signs a dog is suffering from heatstroke
- Heavy panting
- Excessive drooling
- Lethargy
- Lack of coordination
- Vomiting
- Dog has collapsed
the road laws you need to know
Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: “You’d think by now people would realise that leaving a dog in a car on a hot day can have devastating consequences.
“But for innocent bystanders who want to help, the course of action we should take isn’t always clear.
“The law around it is confusing. Are we allowed to break into a car if it’s in the interest of saving an animals life? Should we stand by and wait until the owner returns? Who should we call? The RSPCA? The police?
“While the RPSCA may seem like the best people to call, they do not have the right to enter any vehicle.”