[xnbacon]

I've just been told it is an offence to leave a dog in a car.  Is this actually true? 
Not in a car in hot weather, just in a car full stop.
Sounds like poppycock to me, but I lose track of current legislation.

[Mammyshaz]

Not that in aware of.

[Steph Hen]

The police do it.
Surely can't be true.

[doganjo]

Nope - no law in the UK that says that.  However, there may be bylaws regarding hot days so check your local council

[xnbacon]

Thanks, that's what I thought, but it was a Community Support Officer that told me, which made me wonder if laws had been changed that I was unaware of.

As he also said a few other things that were a bit dodgy, if not downright untrue, I'm now of the opinion he's a bit of a plank.  Rather worrying for someone that is in uniform.

[plumseverywhere]

I think people use the words 'illegal' and 'offence' rather too freely, sometimes those who should know better.  We were told the other day that it was 'illegal' to reverse from our driveway, no - its not illegal but where possible its advisable to reverse on and drive off.... in the case of our driveway its safer to reverse off (long story...)

We were at an RSPCA dog show last year and over the tannoy came the message "I can't believe I'm announcing this at an RSPCA event but someone has left dogs in their car with no windows open and the dogs are distressed" followed by the number plate being read out.  It was a scorching day and we all watched (and hissed  ) as 2 women did the walk of shame to their car... they got the very heavy coated dogs out and checked them over, put them back in the car and drove off...on the side of the car was the name and number for their DOG WALKING BUSINESS!!!  I have a feeling they lost most of their custom that day (thank goodness) #planks.   

[doganjo]

Even at Championship Dog Shows I have heard the same message coming over the tannoy - you would think that there of all places it wouldn't happen - but I have known cars being broken into to save dogs.  The KC now disciplines those who are reported on this matter - and Canine Societies do check their car parks on show days and will report.

[bloomer]

i cant find it but i saw a good poster on facebook the other day


basically


Don't leave children or dogs in hot cars, as a brick through the window is likely to offend!!!

[doganjo]

I've seen it too, can't remember where either.

[xnbacon]

Its all very well, but some people seem to lack a sense of proportion.  I'd have been livid to have found someone had put a brick through my window on that particular morning as

while it was warm it wasn't hot (I can tell the difference!!)
I'd parked in the shade
I'd left a window open
I was only anticipating being about 10 minutes (had only been 5 by the time they tannoyed me)
And this guy still insisted my dogs were distressed and was threatening smashed windows if I left them.

I only wish I'd insisted he come back to the car with me, as they looked particularly calm and relaxed when I got there.  Most likely they'd been barking at someone peering through the window - which is most unusual behaviour for a dog!!

Perhaps a slightly more educational poster showing how to tell if a dog is in distress might be in order rather than carte blanche to brick car windows if there happens to be a dog inside and the temperature is above zero!!

[Alistair]

Must sort of agree

I compete at agility comps & if you have agility/flyball type dogs you'll know thus, they bark, they bark at everything, they bark at anything, they're excited, you've trained them to be excited, if then weren't excited they'd be no good, I've invested my and minis time in agility, I've also invested not inconsiderable sums in. Cool jackets etc to make sure she's not overheated etc.

People need to know the difference between a cool coat & a coat, our swamp jacket lowers mins temp by 5 - 10 degrees, she's is left in the car, with her favourite toy a tennis ball, the windows are left open, and I check it every 15 min or so ( I.e. I need the loo)

[Steph Hen]

swamp jacket lowers mins temp by 5 - 10 degrees.

Off topic, but reading about this cooling jacket (never heard of them) reminded me of when I was working my dog, in summer and driving between sites. I had a neckerchief, bandanna thing with gel-crystals inside that you soak in water and stay cool for ages. I think it helped keep his temperature down.

[Alistair]

Same thing, for dogs, the outside is wet, the inside is pretty much dry,

[cuckoo]

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 section 9 covers the requirement to meet an animal's needs including a suitable environment and preventing fear and distress.  Section 4 covers the bit about it being an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal.  Keeping a dog in a car on a hot day is a section 9 offence and could be a section 4 offence too.