WATCH: Animal charity warns about hot dogs in cars
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A Scottish animal welfare charity has reiterated the importance of never leaving your dog in a hot car.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) typically gets more than 1000 calls a year about animals being left in hot cars and stresses that it is still a very serious issue in Scotland.
A spokesperson for the charity said: "During warm weather, we usually see a surge in calls to our animal helpline about dogs being left in hot vehicles. Our message is simple – don’t risk it.
"Whether you are nipping to the shop or going out for a few hours, it is not worth taking the chance."
It only takes a dog a few minutes to overheat in a car. In direct sunlight, temperatures rise quickly inside a motor and this can cause heatstroke or cardiac arrest and ultimately kill a dog.
"We’ve prosecuted people in the past whose dog has died as a result of being left in a hot car – but we wish we didn’t have to. If you #DontRiskIt, your dog won’t be in danger."
Some helpful tips for looking after your dog in hot weather:
- Dogs benefit from being walked early in the morning or late at night as pavements can get very hot and burn their paws. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws.
- Cooling bandanas, paddling pools or cold/wet blankets are a great way to help a canine keep cool in the heat.
- If your pet seems uncomfortable, dipping their feet in to water or spraying a mist of water on to their face can help.
If you wish to report an injured or distressed animal, please call the SSPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
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