Dog's die in hot cars. There's so much coverage on this, yet why do some dog owner's think their dog is OK to be left inside the car, on a hot day, with the windows barely open?
Parking your car in the shade, leaving the windows open a few inches, and only being gone for 10-15 minutes is not OK to leave your dog in the car. Even if it doesn't feel hot outside, the inside of the car can become like an oven within minutes.
Dog's Die in Hot Cars - What can you do if you see a dog in a car?
First, assess the dog's condition. If it's clear the dog is in distress and showing signs of heatstroke, dial 999. Gather help where you can by asking people to go into local shops, etc to see if they can track down the owner.
Can you smash a car window to rescue a dog?
If the dog's condition is critical and the police or owner haven't arrived, it's only natural you would want to help the dog as soon as possible by smashing the window or trying to break into the car. So, can you smash a car window? This could be classed as criminal damage, despite the reasons for doing so. You may need to defend your actions in court.
Personally, being charged with criminal damage would be worth it if it meant saving a dog's life. Legally, you can commit damage if you believe the car owner would have consented if they knew their dog was in danger.
Signs of Heat Stroke
Excessive panting
Excessive drooling
Difficulty breathing
Appears lethargic or drowsy
Vomiting
Unconscious
Some dog's are more prone to heatstroke, depending on their age, breed, weight and health condition. Some medications can also affect how a dog reacts to heat.
What To Do When The Dog Is Free
Dog's with heat stroke urgently need their body temperature lowered gradually, here's what you can do:
Move the dog to a shady and cool area
Pour cool water over the dog. Don't use cold or ice water as this can send the body into shock. Avoid pouring over the head as this could lead to drowning, especially if the dog is unconscious or a flat-faced breed.
Place cold, wet towels under the dog. Don't place them over the dog as this can trap in the heat
If the dog is conscious, allow the dog to sip cool water
Continue pouring water over the dog until their breathing returns to normal. Don't continue this as their body temp can lower too much and they will start to shiver
If a dog is unconscious, they will not be panting and require a more urgent, aggressive approach to the cooling process
Once the dog has cooled, take them to the nearest vet
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