For immediate release:

DON’T LEAVE DOGS IN HOT CARS THIS SUMMER, SAYS LOCAL MSP

On the back of our recent great weather, Blantyre MSP Clare Haughey is urging South Lanarkshire dog owners not to leave their pets in hot cars this summer.

The MSP is backing a Dogs Trust campaign aimed at preventing people from leaving dogs in their car, even if counter-measures, such as leaving a window open or parking under a tree, are taken.

According to the charity, even twenty minutes in a hot car can prove fatal to a dog, should its body exceed 41°C.

Commenting, Clare Haughey MSP said:

“Many people don’t know that dogs take a lot longer than humans to cool down and with temperatures rising over the summer it is more important than ever that dog owners are warned of the dangers of leaving their pets unattended in cars. Even on cooler or very wet days, cars can become very hot, very quickly, and be fatal for dogs.

“You just need to touch the dashboard or seat of a car to see how hot it can get. And parking in the shade or leaving the window down will not make it any safer.

“If you are carrying your dog in the car over the summer, carry plenty of drinking water for it, use sun blinds on the windows and do not leave the dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes.

“If you do see a dog in distress in a parked car call the police or the SSPCA immediately.”

ENDS

Notes:

SSPCA confidential phoneline – 03000 999 999.

Dogs Trust campaign:

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/news-events/issues-campaigns/hot-dogs/

Date published: 27th June 2019