Motorists have been warned never to leave pets in vehicles over the summer as a heatwave sweeps across parts the UK.
The Met Office has forecast highs of 30C this weekend, with some areas expected to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife thanks to a "plume of warm air" moving in from the south.
With the hot weather comes a warning, however, with motorists urged to not leave their beloved pet dogs on their own in cars for any amount of time, reports Wales Online.
Dogs can die and suffer if left in a vehicle for any amount of time, with the temperature inside the vehicle increasing the longer a dog is left on its own.
Experts at LeaseCar.uk and its sister site LeaseElectricCar.co.uk have been exploring the changing internal temperatures of a car with different temperatures outside and the findings are extremely worrying.
Following the research it was found 21C outside can see a car’s internal temperature shoot up to over 45C in just an hour - more than double what it was at the start. For dogs, that can prove fatal.
Temperatures between 32C and 40C can be dangerous for humans and can cause heat cramps and exhaustion. Dogs face more danger due to their warm layer of fur and often pant to try and keep cool.
Tim Alcock, from LeaseCar.uk, said: “Animal welfare messages have been extremely effective in recent years educating people not to leave their dogs in cars on a hot day due to the risks of overheating.
“But the simple truth is even on what might seem a mild or warm day where temperatures are around the 20C mark, the internal temperature of a car can quickly multiply to dangerous and fatal levels.
“We are therefore urging motorists to NEVER leave a dog unattended, whether wind, rain or shine. Don’t make that ‘quick dash to the shops’ result in a fatal error which will stay with you forever by leaving your pet on its own in a car and potentially at risk.
“Instead, practice good habits by always ensuring that when you leave the car to run an errand, if your dog has been traveling with you, it also goes with you.”
