10 mins can be fatal: Warning over leaving pets in hot cars

The ISPCA has urged people to keep their pets safe in the hot summer weather.

This week is the hottest of the year with with some parts of the country reaching 25 degrees or higher.

The ISPCA said: "Leaving a car window open for your pet isn't sufficient enough to prevent heatstroke in intense sun.

"Even 10 minutes can prove fatal."

The experts said  pets are at risk of stressing due to overheating or thinking their owner is not coming back if you leave them for long periods.

A person can be fined up to €5,000 and/or jailed for up to six months for neglect, abandonment or cruelty to animals under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

There is further provision for fines up to €250,000 and/or prison up to five years for more serious cases.

Dog locked in car 

A dog died after it was locked in a car in hot temperatures during the Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park in 2016.

Passers-by called gardaí about 2pm after they were worried about the dog, which was inside the vehicle with reportedly no water and the windows shut.

It is understood the dog was in the car more than three hours on a day where temperatures reached over 18 degrees.

The dog was brought to a vet but had to be put down.

Dogs Trust, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity said a car basically turns into an oven in the sunshine.

Heat stroke and dehydration 

Dogs left in a vehicle could die from a combination of heat stroke and dehydration.

When travelling, always have a sun blind for shade and a bowl of water.

Owners could also apply specific canine sun cream to their dog’s exposed areas.