The UK is bracing for record-breaking hot weather, with the Met Office and UKHSA issuing red extreme heat warnings for Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures could reach or exceed 38°C in some areas. At that temperature, a dog in a car could die in less than 20 minutes, according to the Dogs Trust.
Legal guidance on rescuing a dog from a hot car
Matthew Reynolds, an associate solicitor at Kirwans law firm, has outlined the steps the public should take. If the dog is not showing signs of heatstroke—such as excessive panting, whimpering, or barking—try to find the driver, for example by asking supermarket staff to make an announcement. If you leave the vehicle, get someone to stay with the dog. If you can't locate the owner, consider calling the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 (8am to 8pm).
The RSPCA recommends calling 999 if a dog is in distress, as it's the quickest way to get help and the police are the only ones with the power to enter a vehicle.
When to take action
In cases where a dog appears to be suffering from heatstroke, Reynolds urges people to dial 999 without delay. If the situation is dire and the police cannot arrive promptly, one may decide to remove the dog from an unlocked car. "You may choose to take the dog out of an unlocked vehicle if the dog's situation is critical and the police are too far away or unavailable," he said. "Remember, a dog is someone's property and you could face an accusation of theft, but it is hard to see how rescuing a dog in these circumstances could lead to you being successfully prosecuted on that basis." He advised arranging to pass the animal to the police or RSPCA if the owner could not be located.
Regarding smashing a window, Reynolds explained: "Although smashing a window to rescue a distressed dog in a locked vehicle could lead to a charge of criminal damage, you would have a lawful excuse to smash the window if you believed that the owner of the vehicle would have consented to the damage, had they been aware of the circumstances." He added that it would also be a defence if you smashed the window to protect the owner's property (the dog) in the belief that the dog was in need of immediate protection and that smashing the window was reasonable in the circumstances.
Practical advice for rescuers
Reynolds recommends that if you do remove a dog from a car, tell the police what you intend to do and why. It is also advisable to take photographs or video of the dog and obtain contact details of any witnesses to the incident.
