Dogs Die in Hot Cars

Don’t risk it.

Whether you are nipping to the shop or going out for a few hours, it is not worth taking the chance. 

Dogs in hot cars can overheat in minutes.

Even in the shade, temperatures can rise very quickly inside a vehicle. Leaving a bowl or water or leaving the window open is not enough to prevent your pet suffering from heat stroke or cardiac arrest.

No dog should be left at risk. However it’s important to remember that some dogs are more prone to heatstroke than others. If your pet is very old or very young, if they have a thick, heavy coat or if they have short, flat faces, they are more vulnerable to the effects of heatstroke. There are also certain conditions and medications that may also make your dog more vulnerable. 

The best way to avoid heat stroke or worse is to not risk it.

What are the signs of heatstroke in a dog?

If you start to suspect signs of heatstroke in a dog, it’s important you act quickly. 

Signs of heatstroke may include:

• Breathing issues
• Excessive drooling
• Heavy panting
• Lethargy 
• Loss of coordination
• Vomiting
• Collapsing

What to do if you have concerns about a dog in a car on a hot day.

If a dog looks distressed or is showing signs of heatstroke, contact us on 03000 999 999 and Police Scotland on 999. Without the police there to help, we’re unable to force entry to the car and may delay the rescue. 

Whilst waiting, please follow the steps as outlined below:

1) Try to work out how long the dog has been left in the car. If there is a “pay and display” ticket visible, this may help.

2) Record the car model, colour, registration and where the vehicle is currently located.

3) If the car is parked at a supermarket or shopping centre, then ask for a broadcast to be put out asking for the owner to return to their car.

4) Take the names and numbers of any witnesses.

5) Take photos and videos of the dog and the car.

Even if the animal is not showing any signs of being in distress, temperatures in vehicles can quickly rise. We recommend following this advice above and make sure that you, or someone else, stays with the dog to monitor their condition.

If the owner is not located and the animal does not appear distressed, but you still have concerns, please contact Police Scotland on 1010 and provide the details you have taken.

Can I smash a window to rescue the dog?

If the dog’s condition is critical, and you are waiting for the police to arrive, your instinct will be to break into the car to free them. 

Breaking into a car should always be a last resort as you could be charged with criminal damage. We advise anyone who is going to break a dog from a hot car to inform Police Scotland first. You may need to defend your actions in court, so please be sure you’re doing the right thing. 

Important: Legally, you can commit damage if you believe the car owner would consent to it if they knew the dog was in danger. However, you should tell Police Scotland what you intend to do and why.

If you are going to take this action, you should take the names and numbers of any witnesses and take photos and videos of the dog in the hot vehicle. This can be used as evidence to show why this action was necessary.

The dog is now free from the car – what should I do next?

If the dog is showing any signs of heatstroke, then they need to be seen by a vet urgently. Before moving them, try to cool them down as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Firstly, do the following:

1) Remove the dog from the heat and get them into the shade or somewhere air conditioned.

2) Position the dog lying down on a cool floor.

3) Wet the dog’s body by pouring cool water on their tummy, inner thighs and neck. 

Important: Do not place wet towels over the dog as this can trap in the heat. 

We also recommend you avoid pouring water on their head and do not let water run into their mouth. If they are panting and they inhale the water, this could lead to drowning. If they are conscious and able to do so, offer them a small amount of cool water to drink. 

If the owner was located, they must take their dog to the vets as soon as possible. 

If the owner was not located, please take their dog to a nearby vet as a matter of urgency.

If you remove the dog from the area, please alert the Scottish SPCA and Police Scotland that you are doing so and let them know where you intend to take the dog.