With summer beginning and the first real hot weather hitting us, it is critical that we take care of our pets when they are in the car.
When left in a car, it can take just six minutes for an animal to suffer severe heat exhaustion and die, with dogs particularly at risk as they cool themselves by panting.
If the air around them is too hot – particularly if they don’t have access to water – dogs are physically unable to regulate their body temperature. In the time it takes to pick up a few things for dinner at the supermarket and get through the check-out, a dog left in a hot car could have already died an agonising death.
Pets can overheat even when the windows are down or the car is in the shade.
Animals should also not be left on the back of a utility without adequate shade, shelter and water.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTAA) and Regulations include several mandatory requirements for travelling with dogs in or on a vehicle: It is illegal to transport a dog if it is not appropriately tethered or caged on back of ute or trailer.
In addition, it is illegal to secure a dog on the metal tray of a ute or trailer when outside temperatures are at or above 28 degrees Celsius without the dog having access to an area of insulating material protecting the dog from contact with the metal surface.
Animals left in these conditions can quickly suffer from severe dehydration and heat exhaustion. If you know that you will most likely be away from your pet while you are out, even for a couple of minutes, it is much better to leave an animal at home where they are comfortable.
If you find a distressed dog left in a car, call 000 immediately. Police will be quickly dispatched from nearby stations.
