Three dogs have died in hot cars since the start of the heatwave, the RSPCA has revealed.
The animal charity is warning the public to call 999 if they find animals stuck in cars as police have the authority to break windows – but it does not.
More 4,000 people have called the RSPCA during the heatwave so far to report animals seen struggling while trapped in locked vehicles. Sadly, three dogs have passed away as a result.
Holly Barber, Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign manager for the RSPCA, said: ‘I simply don’t understand how people can possibly think it’s acceptable to leave a dog inside a parked car when temperatures outside are topping 30C.
‘It’s absolutely baffling that people who believe they are loving pet owners can even consider this as being acceptable.
You could be breaking the law if you leave things out for your neighbour or the scrap man
‘The RSPCA continues to be inundated with calls from members of the public reporting dogs that have been left in hot cars.
‘This is extremely worrying when you consider that our key advice is to call the police on 999 in an emergency.’
A spokesman for the RSPCA said it was aware of the deaths of three dogs left in vehicles in two separate incidents.
‘Anyone who sees a dog in a car on a hot day should dial 999, not the RSPCA, as only police have the power to smash the windows and bring the animal to safety,’ the spokeswoman said.
The RSPCA’s emergency hotline received 1,806 calls about animals and heat exposure during the first three weeks of July and 3,832 calls during the heatwave so far, from June 1 to July 24.
It has released a full list of the breakdown of calls made from different areas in the country.
Greater London, Hampshire and West Yorkshire topped the list – all areas that have been hit by sweltering temperatures in the sunshine in recent weeks.
The Met Office says a temperature of 34.4C (93.92F) has been recorded at Heathrow in west London, beating Monday’s record high of 33.3C recorded in Santon Downham in Suffolk.
These areas had the highest number of reports of pets overheating
County breakdown for calls about animals and heat exposure (1 June – 24 July)
● Bedfordshire – 35
● Berkshire – 40
● Bristol – 31
● Buckinghamshire – 54
● Cambridgeshire – 73
● Cheshire – 68
● Cornwall – 84
● Cumbria – 52
● Derbyshire – 61
● Devon – 116
● Dorset – 76
● Durham – 47
● East Yorkshire – 54
● East Sussex – 44
● Essex – 128
● Gloucestershire – 78
● Greater London – 283
● Greater Manchester – 130
● Hampshire – 174
● Herefordshire – 14
● Hertfordshire – 60
● Isle of Wight – 14
● Kent – 115
● Lancashire – 80
● Leicestershire – 61
● Lincolnshire – 47
● Merseyside – 77
● Norfolk – 70
● North Yorkshire – 117
● Northamptonshire – 44
● Northumberland – 28
● Nottinghamshire – 60
● Oxfordshire – 47
● Rutland – 1
● Shropshire – 35
● Somerset – 128
● South Yorkshire – 83
● Staffordshire – 109
● Suffolk – 58
● Surrey – 111
● Tyne & Wear – 42
● Warwickshire – 29
● West Midlands – 121
● West Sussex – 69
● West Yorkshire – 145
● Wiltshire – 36
● Worcestershire – 48
● Not applicable – 99
● Wales – 256
In response, the RSPCA has released top tips for pet owners to help their animals cope in the hot weather as forecasters warn temperatures could rise again to 37C on Friday.
But just because it’s hot outside, vets have asked pet owners to remember their animals still need exercising.
A shocking image posted online earlier this week warned of the impact of hot pavements on one poor dog’s scolded paws.
But just because walkies are off the cards, there are other ways to make sure pets are getting their daily exercise in.
Top tips for pet owners in hot weather
• Don’t let your pet get sunburnt – use pet-safe sun cream
• Ensure animals have access to shade and fresh drinking water
• Keep fish tanks out of direct sunlight and top up water levels of ponds
• Wrap an ice pack or frozen water bottle in a tea towel for your pet to lie on
• Use cold treats from the fridge for added moisture or make an ice lolly from pet-friendly ingredients
The Dogs Trust has advised owners that dogs can become frustrated and restless when they’re not able to get out and burn off their energy.
Tamsin Durston, canine behaviour officer at The Dogs Trust, said: ‘Why should a little bit of sun spoil all the fun?
‘It’s important to remember that dogs won’t necessarily know if they are overheating and might continue to play and dash about in hot temperatures, because they might have such a strong desire to play.
‘So just because a dog is chasing a ball and bringing it back, this doesn’t mean their body is physically coping with this activity, and they might be likely to overheat.
‘Help your dog to cool down by giving them a tasty watermelon slice in moderation, making sure they have plenty of shade, and by putting fresh wet towels on the floor for them to lie down on.’
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