Animal welfare experts have issued advice on what to do if you see a distressed animal stuck in a car during this week’s scorching temperatures.
The mercury hit record highs for June in the UK on Wednesday as forecasters warned people to stay out of the sun due to “extreme heat”.
A severe red weather warning remains in place until Friday as temperatures are expected to soar to 35C in some parts of South East England.
The heatwave is causing chaos and disruption to public transport and infrastructure as train passengers have been told to only travel if necessary.
Hundreds of thousands of people have come under a hosepipe ban in Kent as the extreme heatwave drives record demand for water.
Animal welfare experts have made a plea to dog owners not to leave their pets inside hot vehicles during the heatwave, saying cars can be a “death trap” for canines.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) said anyone who sees a distressed dog in a car should call the police to report it.
Lauren Bennett, animal welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “The RSPCA does not have the legal power to enter a vehicle to rescue an animal in distress – only the police have the power to do this.
“So please, if you see a dog or any other animal inside a hot car, call 999 immediately – every second really does count in this situation and it’s vital to get the animal out of that environment and safely cooled down as soon as possible.”
She added “sadly too many people” don’t appreciate how dangerous it can be to leave a dog in a hot car, conservatory or caravan.
“Many people think it will be fine just to leave their pets for a minute or two but we know that this is all it takes for temperatures inside a car to soar to dangerous levels,” she said. We want to see owners understanding the danger of leaving their pet in a hot car, and never taking this risk with their lives.
“A hot car can be a death trap for dogs, it is as simple as that. Leaving your dog in a car, even on an average warm, even cloudy day, can put your pet at huge risk of suffering and even death.
“Sadly, too many animals die in hot cars – don’t let your pet be one of the number.”
