Drivers warned they could face FIVE years in jail and a £5,000 fine this scorching weekend over recent law change | The Sun
DRIVERS are being warned that the hot weather could land them with hefty fines.
According to laws that changed only last year, a £5,000 is on the cards as well as a possible five-year stay in jail.
It's all to do with leaving your dog in the car on a hot day and the Animal Cruelty Act which was upgraded last year.
Led by Battersea Dogs Home, the prison sentence for cruelty to animals was upped from six months to five years.
You're also facing a fine of up to £5,000 for the same offence.
Shocking figures from the British Veterinary Association recorded a three-year high in the number of dogs left in hot cars in 2019.
The people at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts consulted with experts on the subject and have put together advice for drivers.
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They said: 'When faced with the dilemma of leaving your pet alone or unloading the whole car and dragging a canine around while you quickly run an errand – you might be tempted to leave your poochy pal on their own for a few moments.
'However, even if you’ve taken precautions like parking in the shade and cracking a window, it’s not enough.
'Dogs don’t sweat like humans and can only lose heat through panting. This means they struggle to regulate their temperature if stuck in a hot space and the effects can be deadly.'
'The inside of cars can heat up at an alarming rate, even if you only leave the car for a short amount of time'
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The experts warned that after just 10 minutes there can be a 10°C rise in temperature inside a hot car. After 20 minutes its 16°C and after an hour it's 23°C.
Leaving a dog in a hot car for over an hour can see the inside heat up to 29°C more than when it started. Beyond this is heatstroke territory, which can be fatal for dogs.
If you find a dog in a hot car, drivers are advised to 'first check to see if the owner is nearby. If you’re near a shop, inform the staff and security, they’ll be able to make a shop-wide announcement to alert the owner.
'The local police have the authority to break a car window to rescue an animal in danger but you should not attempt to gain access to the vehicle as you could be fined for criminal damage or injure the animal inside the car.
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'If there’s no alternative, you should first check the doors to see if the car has been left unlocked.
If you do have to break a window to save the animal make sure you call 999 and let the police know what you’re doing and take photos and videos to clearly record the situation.'
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