More than a quarter of owners leave their dog in the car
The Dogs Trust has launched a video featuring a melting dog ice sculpture, to raise awareness of the risks of leaving dogs in cars.
More than a quarter of UK dog owners admit to leaving their dog in the car, the Dogs Trust reveals.
In a recent survey of 2,000 dog owners, the charity reports nearly half (48 per cent) incorrectly believed it was safe to leave a dog in the car if counter measures were taken, such as parking in shade or opening the window.
Despite this, more than one in 10 people said they knew a dog that had come to harm as a result of being left in a parked car in hot weather.
Paula Boyden, the charity's veterinary director, said: "We claim to be a nation of dog lovers, but it’s shocking how many people are willing to put man’s best friend in serious danger.
"As soon as the car doors are shut the countdown begins - which could potentially end in an agonising death for the dog. Our message is simple: don’t leave your dog in a parked car."
In addition to these findings, the AA has revealed it has seen a 50 per cent increase in the number of call outs to rescue dogs trapped in locked cars over the past six years. Most commonly, the company's patrols are called out by owners who have accidentally locked their keys in the car with their pet.
Since the start of April this year, the AA has been called out to 150 cases where a pet has been locked in the car.
The company's patrol of the year Mark Spowage commented: "The dangers are obvious; you just have to touch the dashboard or seats to know how hot the inside of a car can get. But it's not just on warm days when dogs are at risk – vehicles can be death-traps even in cooler temperatures."
In response to the findings, the Dogs Trust has launched a hard-hitting campaign to warn dog owners of the risks of leaving their pets in parked cars.
As well as issuing guidance to concerned animal lovers and pet owners, the charity has created a time-lapse video, featuring a melting dog-shaped ice sculpture locked in a car.
Visit Youtube to view the campaign video
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
