RSPCA warns people to not leave their animals in the car

RSPCA chief executive officer Jan Davis said temperatures could rise to dangerous levels quickly in a car, even on mild days.

"People should never leave their animals unattended in vehicles or even on the back of a ute, even for a short period of time.

"Better still, pet owners should leave their animals at home during the warmer months, and make sure they have plenty of water and shade."

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Ms Davis said having tinted windows, parking in the shade or leaving windows open would not reduce the inside temperature significantly enough to be safe for an animal.

She said if a dog's internal temperature rises above 41 degrees, it would be at risk of heatstroke, of which only 50 per cent survive.

"Losing your best mate in such horrendous circumstances would be devastating. So please never, ever, leave your dog in a car."

Some dogs such as large dogs, dogs with short faces, overweight dogs, and long coated dogs, are more at risk, but heatstroke can happen to any dog.

If a dog is seen in distress or in a car on a hot day, the RSPCA have said to call the police, as causing animals to suffer in any way is a criminal offence.

RACT Roadside received 116 callouts for pets locked in cars between December 1, 2019, and November 30 2020.

RACT general manager mobility services Darren Moody said pets were more prone to hot temperatures than humans.

"At the end of the day, it's a pretty simple message - don't leave children or pets unattended in a car, even for a moment."

For animal related issues police should be called on 131 444.