Millions of uk drivers witness dogs left alone in hot cars

• 1 in 8 (13%) UK drivers who own, or have owned, a dog admit to leaving their pet in a car in warm weather
• Almost 2 in 5 (39%) claimed they were only going to be quick, while almost 1 in 5 (19%) didn’t know the risks
• Almost 1 in 5 (19%) drivers say they would attempt to break a dog free if seen left alone in a car on a hot day
• Meanwhile, more than a third (37%) would call the RSPCA. But what should you do? Confused.com experts outline how best to help a dog in distress on a hot day

Millions of motorists have witnessed a dog left alone in a hot car, new research reveals.

More than 2 in 3 (63%) UK drivers claim they have seen a dog left alone in a car on warm or hot days. And worryingly, 1 in 8 (13%) drivers who own, or have owned a dog, admit to leaving their dog alone in the car during warm weather. That’s according to new research by Confused.com car insurance.

While almost 2 in 5 (39%) dog owners claim they left their dog alone in a hot car because they were only going to be quick, almost 1 in 5 (19%) didn’t know the risks of their actions.

Leaving a dog alone in a car, even in slightly warm temperatures, can be fatal. Even in 24-degree temperatures outside, cars can quickly reach a dangerous 34 degrees inside the car¹, which can be dangerous to dogs.

A worrying number of UK drivers are unaware of the risks of leaving dogs alone in a car. More than 1 in 6 (17%) think it’s okay to leave a dog alone if outside temperatures are 20 degrees or above.

On average, dog owners have left their dog alone in a hot car for 12 minutes. However, 1 in 8 (12%) admit to leaving their car for 20 minutes or longer. This could be entering dangerous territory, as temperatures can get increasingly hotter inside a car, and very quickly too. Many drivers had the foresight to leave the windows open for their dog (36%), and 1 in 5 (21%) left the aircon on.

Luckily, many drivers are on alert and aware of the risks of leaving a dog alone in a car on a hot day. Of those who have seen a dog left in a hot car, more than a third (36%) tried to find the owner. Meanwhile, 1 in 6 (16%) tried to open the window or door to help the dog, and 1 in 8 (12%) called the police. However, worryingly, almost a third (30%) didn’t do anything.

But what should you do if you see a dog left alone in a car on a warm or hot day?

According to the research, almost half (47%) of drivers say they would call the police if they witnessed the situation. And almost 2 in 5 (37%) would call the RSPCA. 1 in 5 (19%) even went as far as saying they’d try to break a window to free the dog.

But according to the RSPCA², the first course of action should be to assess the dog's condition. If they are showing signs of heatstroke, then call the police straight away. This can include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy or vomiting.

While many drivers would take things into their own hands and help the dog, breaking into a car could be classed as criminal damage. If you feel like this is necessary, then you should talk to the police to make them aware of your actions and take pictures or videos of the dog to evidence their condition. If absolutely necessary, your actions may be considered legal if you believe the car owner would consent to the damage if they knew the dog was in danger.

While many may be tempted to call the RSPCA, they don’t have any powers of entry and wouldn’t be able to rescue the dog - this can only be actioned by the police.

If the dog isn’t showing signs of immediate danger, then notifying any nearby businesses to help track down the owners could help the situation from escalating.

For more information visit: https://www.confused.com/compare-car-insurance/guides/dogs-in-hot-cars

Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com, comments, “We’re a dog-loving nation, and naturally we want to enjoy sunny days with them. But when travelling in the car, this comes with some very severe risks. When you’re driving, keeping the aircon on or a window open will keep them cool. But if you need to leave them alone in the car for any amount of time, always consider keeping a window slightly open or the air conditioning on if you can.

“A worrying number of people have seen dogs left alone in a hot car. And many have tried to take action, which suggests that they thought the dog was in danger.

“If you ever find yourself in this situation, naturally you’ll want to help. But be careful not to land yourself in hot water. If you think the dog is at risk, call the police. Do not attempt to break into the car. If you think this is absolutely necessary, then speak to the police about your intentions and take their advice on what to do.”

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Notes to editors