13/06/2023
Can you legally smash car windows to rescue dogs on a hot day?
Temperatures are rising around the UK
BY LISA JOYNERPUBLISHED: 07 JUNE 2023
Smashing a car window to save a dog could still be viewed as criminal damage, however the experts have revealed what you can legally do if you believe its life could be in danger during a heatwave.
Leaving a dog in a hot car is a serious offence. Under The Animal Welfare Act 2006, it could be deemed as animal neglect if an owner leaves their dog in a hot car. If the dog suffers extensively or dies after being left in a hot car, owners could be at risk of being prosecuted.
Dogs are more susceptible to heat than humans. Some of the risks they face being trapped in a car include:
• Heatstroke
• Dehydration
• Brain damage
• Organ failure
• In severe cases, death
What to do if you see a dog in a hot car
"The temperature of a hot car can reach as much as 40°C when outside temperatures hit 21°C, posing significant risks to a dog's health and wellbeing," John Wilmot, motoring expert and CEO of lease comparison site LeaseLoco, says.
"Dogs are more susceptible to heat than humans because they cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively."
If you see a dog trapped in a hot car, you should:
1. Assess the situation - If you believe the dog's life is in immediate danger, you should call the police or an emergency hotline (such as the RSPCA's 24-hour cruelty line - 0300 1234 999) to report the situation. The police have the authority to break a car window to rescue an animal in danger but you should not attempt to do this
2. Check the car to see if any doors have been left unlocked.
3. Attempt to locate the owner - If you're in a public place such as a supermarket or shopping centre, seek help at the nearest customer service desk who can make an announcement to help find the owner of the dog. You could ask anyone nearby who may have seen the owner to help you locate them.
4. Await professional help - Once you have reported the incident, it is generally advised to wait for the appropriate authorities, such as the police or RSPCA officers, to arrive and handle the situation. They will have the necessary authority to access the car and take appropriate action to rescue the dog.
5. Breaking glass - Breaking a car window should be a last resort when all other options have been exhausted and there is a clear and immediate danger to the dog's life. However you must be aware that breaking into a vehicle could be classed as criminal damage and you could be prosecuted for it.
You can break into a vehicle if you believe the owner would give you consent if they knew that their dog was in significant danger.
