07.07.09 - 14:04 -
Travelling with animals in the car is not a good idea. / SUR
It is difficult to imagine a worse situation than those two police dogs left in a car in the blazing sun as reported on British television. Their deaths must defy all understanding. How can an experienced police officer who is a handler leave his dogs under such conditions? It happened in the past week and I understand that the R.S.P.C.A. is considering a prosecution. I hope that happens.
These incidents happen every year and most are not high profile so they do not make the news. However we should all take note and learn from this recent event.
That metal box on wheels which we call a car is indeed an oven when left in the sun at this time of the year. I parked yesterday in the sun, without dogs I hasten to add, so when I came to drive away I had to use handkerchiefs to grasp the steering wheel to drive to a shady area. It took ten minutes before I could drive with safety. Just imagine what it would be like for dogs in the car. I never take any animals when it is so hot.
Now there are situations when a dog needs to be transported by car; a good example is a visit to the vet. If you have this situation, then fix the appointment for the early morning or the evening. If your pet is to be transported by air then the answer is simple: do not do it in summer. I have all too often seen boxes for dogs or cats left on the apron of the airport in the sun. Water or not, the situation is one which causes severe distress and often death.
If you have ideas about driving to the countryside to walk the dog then again keep the timing to a cool part of the day, the early morning or late evening.
Outside Plymouth there is a small industrial estate consisting of small units on short term lets to cottage industries like upholsterers, kitchen equipment repairers or furniture restorers. Every car in the car park suddenly had a note in the windscreen signed by the general manager of the estate. It stated very simply: “If you leave you pet in your car during this hot weather I will break your window, recover your pet and call the police.” I like caring people like that and told him so.
No one likes to be thought of as a cruel person so THINK about your action. Remember that an appointment at the post office which will take five or six minutes could take twenty: the customer before you wants to send a registered express parcel to Outer Mongolia. Isn’t it always thus? Freddie is left to suffer. Leave him at home with plenty of low shading and loads of water.
