Don't Cook Your Dog

With today's welcome sunshine, and summer fast approaching, the Kennel Club is warning people that they risk cooking their dogs alive if they leave them unattended in a car.

Dogs are extremely sensitive to the heat and should never be left in a car alone, even on a fairly warm or cloudy day. Surprisingly, leaving a car window open or supplying water makes little difference and the dog will suffer, as a car can quickly heat up to around 50°C.

Each year the Kennel Club receives reports of dogs being left in cars, and many incidents where dogs die from heatstroke as a result. The Kennel Club is calling for urgent action to prevent irresponsible dog ownership this summer.

To promote the seriousness of the issue the Kennel Club has produced a three minute video called 'Don't Cook your Dog', which is supported by Dogs Today magazine's Don't Cook Your Dog campaign. The video demonstrates how easily dogs can suffer from brain damage, organ failure and death, if left in a hot car.

• Category

  Pets & Animals

[David Moon]

First, I agree, dogs in a mobile greenhouse is not good.

So here's the situation: you are travelling on the motorway with your dog in the back, windows open enough for a breeze. Need a break: service station. Take dog out to stretch his legs and exercise legs & bladder. Now you need to go. Hang on, dogs are not allowed inside. What do you do? Ask a stranger? Put dog in car?

I am dismayed at how dog-unfriendly service stations are. There are no facilities for dog and owners. Campaign?

[laramaxoscar]

A good video about the dangers of dogs in hot cars BUT the KC should also be showing the responsible way of travelling with dogs in cars, they should always be secured.  In an accident they can be seriously injured if they are thrown around the car and they can also seriously injure passengers in the car. Always make sure your dogs are properly secured when travelling in a car - oh and they should be wearing collars and tags too! Shame on you KC for not getting all the safety message across!

[thurstable]

There is only 1 rule. DON'T leave a dog in the car!! Hatchback cars are like magnifying glasses even if windows are open when you are driving the intense heat shining on them will given them heat stroke.

[David Lamb]

Good video, thanks.

[Mark Syder]

I'm glad he knows the risks of leaving dogs in hot cars. I wish he knew the risks of looking at a camera while driving instead of the road.

[Camille Toews]

I always take them in the washroom with me...but they're small. Most people won't report you for taking them into a washroom.

I als keep a sheet for sticking on windshileds, or putting in the window, when I see a dog in a car, and call SPCA or police....

[lily clarke]

OK.

[Poops McGee]

No responsible dog owner would let a stranger watch their dog, even if it's just for five minutes!

[TheFuzzyGumdrop]

Poor pups

[TheFuzzyGumdrop]

I am so glad that this video was created... =)

[lily clarke]

If it is hot ask someone inside to watch your dogs or put a fan in the car as you will be in for 5 minutes max.