As we re-enter the summer months, it's important to spare a thought for our furry, four-legged friends.
Remember, they have much more fur than we do, meaning that a dog left too long in a hot car can turn into an emergency pretty quick. Especially if it's seriously hot weather (like, extra spicy kind of hot).
Every summer, there's multiple cases of dogs being left in hot cars and suffering heatstroke or even worse, so we'll be telling you what the law is on the matter and all the steps you can take to make life easier for your pet(s).
What is the Law on Leaving Dogs in Cars?
Technically, it's not illegal to leave a dog in a hot car. Even one that's baking faster than a potato in the oven.
After all, you could only be gone for 5 minutes. And besides, it would be pretty hard for lawmakers to determine at what temperature the exact cut-off point for a 'hot' car is and whether a car was at that temperature.
However, it IS illegal to leave your dog in a hot car if doing so renders that dog ill or leads to its death.
So whilst leaving a dog in a hot car isn't illegal in and of itself, dog-owners are legally responsible for their pet's health and welfare, and leaving it in a hot car for too long is one way to go against that. In that case, you could face an animal cruelty charge as per the Animal Welfare Act 2006. And we hardly need to tell you what the result would be: a prison sentence and/or a fine.
Is it Legal for Someone to Smash Your Car Windows if they See a Dog Inside?
Not in itself, no.
Your natural instinct might be to break into a hot car when you see a dog in distress and there's no sign of the owner. And whilst you could potentially save a dog's life, you might also find yourself on the receiving end of a criminal damage charge.
However, under the Criminal Damage Act 1971, you also have a lawful excuse to break into the car if you believe the owner would agree to it in the circumstances. That's a big IF, so think carefully before you smash that window and be prepared to defend yourself in court on a count of criminal damage.
If you do have to resort to smashing the car's window(s), you should:
1. Lay the dog in the shade and give it small amounts of water to drink.
2. Douse the dog in cool but not freezing water, or lay wet towels over it.
3. Seek a vet immediately.
Just for the record, the RSPCA recommends that if you see a dog in need, you should call 999 in the first instance. That's because the Animal Welfare Act of 2006 states that only a local authority inspector or police constable has the power to forcefully enter hot cars in order to assist an animal that's likely to be suffering.
Is It Ever Safe to Leave My Dog in the Car?
Generally speaking, it's considered safe to leave your dog in the car for a maximum of 5 or 10 minutes, and when the outside temperature is below 70 degrees and above freezing.
Even if the windows are left open and/or the car is parked in the shade, the RSPCA advises that you should avoid leaving your dog alone in the car on a hot day, as it can still present a danger.
However, we all know that sometimes this simply isn't realistic. Our dogs' lives (and ours) are made richer, more colourful, and less boring when we bring them with us in the car. You surely have the right, on the way home from walking them, to pop into the shops for a pint of milk.
Dog in Distress: Signs of Heatstroke
Signs of heatstroke in a dog include:
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Excessive panting
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Lethargy
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Dribbling
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Vomiting
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Increased heart-rate
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Collapse and/or tiredness
The whole shebang, basically . . .
And if it looks like your dog is suffering from any of these symptoms, the official advice is to call 999 and ask for the police. They'll give you instructions based on the situation. They might even come and break into the car (because unlike you, the police have absolute legal authority to do so).
How Hot is Too Hot to Leave a Dog in a Car?
If there is an agreed cut-off point, then 70° Fahrenheit (or 21° Celsius) seems to be it. Any hotter than that and most pawwrents would think better than to leave their furriends baking in the boot or back seat. But even 60° Fahrenheit could be considered a little on the risky side.
And remember that the temperature inside cars can get dangerously hot very quickly, so on a day where the temperature is about 70° Fahrenheit, the temperature in your car can quickly climb to over 115°, with most of that rise in temperature taking place in just 30 minutes. Which can of course be extremely dangerous for a dog.
Dogs can experience heat exhaustion when their body temperature reaches just 103°, and if its body temperature goes beyond that point, then less than 20 minutes in a hot car is enough to potentially kill the dog.
How Do I Make it Safe to Leave a Dog in a Car?
Park your car in the shade whenever possible.
Leave the air-conditioning on with a steering wheel lock or a locked door/spare key combo (wheel lock is probably the way to go).
Give your dog water in the form of a bowl or a dish in the boot, but do remember that dehydration and heat exhaustion are not at all the same thing.
Make frequent check-ins on your dog by coming out to your car at regular intervals, checking that he or she is well. Check the temperature in the car and take your dog for a brief walk if needed.
Leave a note with your personal info as well as any safety features you have in place for your dog. This is in order to reassure passers-by and onlookers and let them know that you make regular checks on your dog. More importantly, it means that in the event that they do see your dog is in distress, they'll have somebody to call. Make the note clear and easy to read, but don't necessarily make it too noticeable. You don't want to draw too much attention.
Get white interior covers for your car as white is very good at not absorbing heat. Studies show that a car's interior colour is the best predictor for how hot or cool it is, so if you can get your hands on white seat covers and/or a white dashboard mat, then that can really help make a big difference.
Get reflective window shades as they can really help keep the sun out.
Get a light-coloured car which will reflect rather than absorb the hot sunlight. Maybe not the easiest or the most realistic option, but if you're really keen to help out your doggo, then this is certainly one extra way to do it.
Make sure there is enough space for your furry companion to move around and get comfortable regardless of how long they are going to be in the car - you can find the best dog friendly cars you can lease.
Summary
Well amigos, that about covers it on what can be a grim but sadly essential topic for the summer months and hot weather ahead.
Yes, it is generally fine to leave your dog in the car for a short while. But whenever the weather is seriously hot or you have to leave the car for a long period of time, it's always best to leave your furry friend(s) at home. Their safety comes first.
FAQs
Is it illegal to leave your dog in the car in the UK?
Not in and of itself. But it is illegal to leave dogs in hot cars if doing so makes it ill or leads to its death. So in certain situations, it can be.
How long can you legally leave a dog alone UK?
You can legally leave a dog alone in the car for an indefinite amount of time, but obviously common sense would suggest otherwise, and the official guidance from the RSPCA is that you shouldn't do it at all.
Can I leave my dog in the car on a cool day?
Absolutely, the cooler the better. Just not when it's a freezing cold sort of cool. Hypothermia is just as much of a danger as heatstroke.
Can my dog sit in the car?
It's not illegal for dogs to travel in the front seat of a car. However, the seat must be moved as far back as possible and the passenger-side airbag deactivated.