The Do’s And Don’ts When Finding A Dog In a Hot Car

It is near impossible to get humans to agree on anything these days, but if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we hate seeing dogs in distress.

With the summer days getting dangerously hot, the chance of coming across a dog locked in a car becomes, unfortunately, more common. Figures from 2018 showed that the RSPCA received a 5% rise in calls reporting dogs trapped in hot cars, and with shops still adopting a social distancing policy, causing queues to remain long, the figures look set to rise again.

Understandably, when seeing a dog in distress, the natural urge is to take immediate action, but many are unsure of the rules and laws surrounding helping an animal.

Russell Gardner from Autowise has over 6 years’ experience working with pets and their owners who travel across the globe, and has compiled a guide of do’s and don’ts when helping a dog in a car.

‘When we’re children, it’s never really explained to us what we’re supposed to do when we find an injured animal,’ explains Gardner.  ‘I think a lot of us either panic or look the other way. But there are thankfully lots of things you can do, it’s just a case of putting in the time’.

The Basics

Leaving a pet in a car will always run the risk of being unsafe. Even if the window is opened slightly, the temperatures inside can dramatically rise compared to the heat outside.

Cars are metal so when left in heat, they can replicate the heat of an oven. A window that is left open just slightly is never going to provide enough ventilation for a beloved pet.  If you’re unsure of this, sit in your parked car for only 60 seconds on a hot day and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the heat rises.

The high temperature can lead to dehydration or heatstroke and can cause major problems for the dog in a short amount of time.

So how long should a dog be left in a car? On a hot day – ideally never. If it’s an emergency and you know you’re going to be no longer than 3 minutes, the common thing to do is leave a note inside the car, explaining to passersby that the aircon is on and the dog is comfortable.

I would also make a note of the time you left the dog, to help concerned onlookers know that it’s only been 1 or 2 minutes. Again, this is an absolute genuine emergency. If in doubt, leave your dog at home in a cool and dark environment.

The Signs

We’re all been in those awkward situations where we don’t know whether to complain or not. It’s human nature to tell ourselves not to cause problems and everything will be fine, but when it comes to dogs in cars it’s sometimes a matter of life and death.

If you do happen to come across a pet in a car and you have genuine concerns about the well-being of the animal, there are several things you can look out for.

Heavy panting (tongue out, heavy head movements when breathing), excessive drooling, drowsy and lethargic motions, vomiting or if the dog seems passed out, are all signs of heatstroke.

Assessing The Situation

We’ve all seen the videos of people smashing car windows to save a dog outside supermarkets but helping a dog the right way is far less dramatic (it’s more Columbo than Superman). Because of this, it can be a bit more time consuming, but it’s thorough, and ensures that all the correct avenues are taken.

Obviously the well-being of the pet comes first, so you always need to establish the animal’s condition. If they show no signs of heatstroke and by your assessment doesn’t look in discomfort, try to establish how long they been in there.   Are there any notes or a pay and display sign?

If the condition worsens or the heat starts to increase, make a note of the registration number and go to the nearest business notifying the staff and ask them to make an announcement to the owner of the car. Most owners don’t realise how dangerous it is and will come out to remove the pet.

If All Else Fails

Contrary to what many people think, there are several steps to take before smashing a car window to save a pet in trouble, and several of them protect you from legal repercussions.

The main thing is to document everything in these situations, whether that be recording your actions, or having someone witness what’s taking place. If the animal seems distressed and the owner can’t be found, call the police for advice and assistance.

Explain that the pet seems to be suffering and ask if there are any police nearby available for support. If the police are too far away to help, explain to the operator your actions, and take photos of the pet inside the trapped car, as well as the name and number of any witnesses.

Remember, even with all these actions taken, if you do forcibly gain access to the car you should be willing to defend these actions in court (should it come to that). Obviously it’s upsetting to see a pet in trouble, but deciding that you’re going to smash a window and later finding out that the aircon was on and the dog was happily sleeping is going to land you in trouble with the owner, and the police.

Treating A Dog Suffering From Heatstroke

Gradually lower the temperature of the dog’s body and move them to a shaded area away. Pour cool water over wet towels and cover then. Give them small amounts of water to drink and call a vet for assistance.