As Perth’s sweltering summer weather continues, RSPCA WA is urging dog owners to leave their pets safely at home.
The warning comes after RSPCA WA inspectors attended a shopping centre car park in an outer Perth suburb last week following a report about two small-breed dogs confined in a vehicle during 41-degree heat.
Since December 1, 123 heat-related cruelty complaints have been made to the organisation.
According to the RSPCA, the owners told the inspector they had debated whether to leave the dogs in the car or have one of them stay with the air conditioning on.
Ultimately, they decided to both go shopping and attend different stores to speed up the process.
RSPCA WA Inspector Team Leader Genna Haines believes that while the message may be getting through, this latest incident shows some people continue to make decisions that harm and put their dogs’ lives at risk.
“In this instance, the dogs were okay, but dog owners need to remember that regardless of whether you’re gone for just a short time or if the car is in the shade, the situation can turn deadly in a matter of minutes,” she said.
“Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can climb to 60°C in a very short space of time. That is too hot for a dog to endure.
“Even the shortest spells can leave them with heatstroke or permanent organ damage.”
“Our message is simple – if you love your dog, leave them at home. A quick visit to the shops could cost your dog their life. Don’t put your dog’s life at risk.”
If you see a dog in a hot car, the RSPCA encourages you to identify signs of heatstroke, gather as much evidence as possible, including the vehicle’s registration number and location, and report it to the RSPCA Cruelty Hotline on 1300 278 358 or call WA Police on 131 444.
If you’re at a shopping centre, ask the centre management to page the owner of the vehicle by reading out the registration details.
While waiting for help, keep an eye on the dog, but from a safe distance to avoid agitating it, which could cause further distress and make the dog even hotter.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, it is an offence to cause unnecessary harm to an animal. Offenders can be prosecuted and face up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
