Hot Cars – Dog Death Traps
PIA Australia
February 17, 2015
Pet Insurance Australia (PIA) is reminding all Australian pet owners of the dangers of leaving your dogs in hot cars.
“With temperatures soaring, the risk of pets becoming seriously injured as a result of being left in a hot car is high,” Nadia Crighton spokesperson for Pet Insurance Australia says. “It is not uncommon to see parked cars along the street containing uncomfortable panting dogs, while their owners are running errands.”
With many campaigns circulating on social media, PIA is joining the fight to make people aware of the dangers associated with leaving pets in hot cars.
“Sadly some pet owners are not aware of how quickly a dog can die in a hot car,” Crighton says. “It can take just minutes before a dog can become overwhelmed and seriously ill due to the effects of being trapped in a hot car.”
Leaving the window cracked open is simply not enough to prevent dogs, and cats, from over-heating. Research has indicated that rolling down windows will have little, to no effect, on the temperature inside a parked car.
“Studies suggest that a ‘greenhouse effect’ takes place in a parked car, so even in cooler weather, the interior of your car can get very hot, very quickly” Crighton says.
“A Standford University study revealed that when it’s only 22 degrees outside, the temperature inside your car will rise to a staggering 46.6 degrees within an hour,” Crighton says. “If it’s hot outside, your cars internal temperature will climb to an unbearable and life threatening level.”
An animal that is over-heating, can suffer irreversible organ damage and even death. Dogs are especially vulnerable as they cool off by panting and through the pads on their feet.
“Dogs can only withstand a high body temperature for a very short time,” Crighton says. “After this time they can suffer irreversible nerve, heart, brain and liver damage that can eventuate into death.”
“The heat can be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of your pet,” Crighton says. “If you can not take your pet with you, please, leave them in the comfort and safety of their home.”
What to do if you see a dog struggling in a hot car?
*Take down the cars registration.
*Ask nearby business if you can make an announcement just in case the owner is in a café or shopping center.
*Call your local animal control / dog ranger or the local police.
*Wait by the car until help arrives.
Nadia Crighton – nadia@staging.petinsuranceaustralia.com.au
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Contact information: Nadia Crighton, Pet Insurance Australia, 95 Sixth Road, Berkshire Park, New South Wales 2765
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