Mary Allen
Every year, educational campaigns by animal rights activists flood the news and social media: It is life-threatening for dogs to leave them alone in the car in the warm season. Nevertheless, there are always reports that this is exactly what happens and that dogs, therefore, die in agony or were freed and cared for just in time. However, smashing the window is property damage. Here’s what to do if you spot a dog in distress locked in the car.
How an Outside Temperature of 20 °C Becomes a Deadly Danger
A car parked in the sun heats up quickly inside: with an outside temperature of 20 °C, the inside temperature can rise to 36 °C within half an hour, and even to 46 °C within an hour. If the outside temperature is 24 °C, 31 °C is possible within ten minutes and 50 °C within the next 50 minutes. It often happens even faster because the car is already warmed up before it is parked.
It doesn’t help at all to leave the windows slightly open. Likewise, a shady spot is not safe, as interior temperatures still rise and, as the sun moves, the vehicle may be completely unprotected just a few minutes later. Even a cloudy sky is no guarantee that it won’t heat up inside because the sun radiates heat even through a layer of clouds. For dogs, the car can become a deadly trap due to higher temperatures.
What Do the High Temperatures Do to the Dog?
Dogs have to regulate their body temperature mainly through breathing and pant for this reason. This consumes energy and if temperature regulation is not successful, the dog will suffer from heatstroke. Depending on age and constitution, 40 °C can be life-threatening. This is all the more true the longer the dog is exposed to it. He suffers from dehydration and the effort to lower body temperature. This leads to physical and mental stress. Ultimately, the cardiovascular system can collapse and the dog dies.
Sighting of a Dog Locked in the Car
Not every dog that is left in the car for a short time is an emergency – not even if it is panting: this is normal in summer temperatures. So watch the dog first. Does he seem apathetic, does he salivate, does he choke, does he tremble, what is his overall impression?
If the vehicle is parked in front of a shop, a doctor’s office, or another contact point, you can try to have the owner paged or to find him. Irrespective of this, it always makes sense to document the incident and, if possible, to draw the attention of other passers-by to it. These can help to assess the situation and, if necessary, serve as witnesses. For documentation, you can take notes or photograph the license plate, vehicle type, and color, as well as the parking space and the dog inside. If possible, also note the date and time as well as the outside temperature. It also makes sense if one person stays by the car for further observation while another tries to find the owner.
If the situation is serious and/or the owner cannot be found, call 911. Describe the situation. If the condition of the dog is obviously critical and the waiting time for the rescue services to arrive seems too long, you may be given permission to intervene directly by telephone. Otherwise, wait for the emergency services.
If the dog’s condition deteriorates during this time or if it even faints, quick action is required. First, check whether all the car doors are locked or whether you can reach through the gap in a slightly open window to open it further or to unlock a door. If there is no other way to gain access to help the dog, the only option is to break a window.
While this is property damage and the vehicle and dog owner can report it, property damage is subject to other laws that protect you from punishment. If a car window has to be smashed to free the dog, choose a side window instead of the front or rear window, as the amount of damage is less with these. They choose the path of least evil.
Again, it is helpful in case of doubt if other people are available as witnesses if they also assess the situation as dramatic and the procedure can be documented. If you are alone, stay calm: do not act hastily, but do not hesitate if it is obvious that the dog is unwell.
Help for the Dog
Once you have freed the dog from the vehicle, take it to the shade immediately. The presence of other passers-by is also helpful now because the dog needs water. If he is still able to drink, give him some water, but not too much at a time. If he cannot drink on his own, put some on his tongue. If he has already lost consciousness or is about to, contact the animal rescue or emergency veterinary services. This can also make sense if the dog is “only” overheated so far because a specialist can instruct you over the phone and ask specific questions to get an approximate impression of the animal’s condition.
A severely weakened or unconscious animal should be placed on its side immediately. Water helps to cool down the body temperature: first, wet the paws a little and then the legs upwards. Cooling down must not take place too quickly and must not start from the head, upper body, or abdomen, as this would also overtax the organism. If no water is available, all that remains is to calm the dog down until help is on site.