Is it against the law to leave a dog in a car?

Well, the obvious ones include not leaving your pet in the car, what-so-ever. 

 

Believe it or not, but opening a window on a stationary vehicle is not an acceptable option, as this actually doesn’t help keep the car that much cooler, for your pet. 

 

Like with a car, a conservatory is a no-go area for your pet, as the area is heated up by the glass. 

 

There’s been many cases in recent news where a pet has been rescued just before it was too late, but not without causing a vast amount of damage to the owner’s car. 

 

If you see an animal, in any vehicle, showing signs of heatstroke, the RSPCA recommends calling 999 in an emergency, as only the police have the power to force entry. The Animal Welfare Act of 2006 states that only a local authority inspector or a constable has the power to enter a premises (or vehicle) to assist an animal that is likely to be suffering. However, under the 1971 Criminal Damage Act you have a lawful excuse to commit damage if you believe the owner of the property would consent to it if they knew the circumstances. If it is an emergency and you do break a car window, you must be prepared to defend your actions. 

 

Unfortunately, our lovable friends aren’t able to cool down through sweating, like humans, so you really need to make sure you keep them ventilated as much as possible. Opening windows in your house, and keeping the blinds closed will help you to ensure that your pup can sit in the shade. 

 

Another useful tip provided by the RSPCA, is to put ice cubes in your pet’s bowl, or providing damp towels for them to lay on. 

 

The final, main tip our team of personal injury solicitors in Preston can provide, would be to avoid the W word during the hottest hours of the day: stick to walkies first thing in the morning or last thing at night, wherever possible. A good way of judging whether it’s too hot for your pet, if you have to walk them during the hottest hours, is whether the pavement is too hot for your hand. Just place the back of your hand against the pavement and, if it feels too hot, remove it quickly and don’t take your pet out – easy. 

 

So, hopefully our personal injury solicitors in Preston’s tips have helped, but if you need more advice, contact your Vets, or have a look at the RSPCA website for some more helpful tips: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/seasonal/summer.