Dogs locked in cars: what to do if we see one

What to do and who to contact if we see a dog locked in a car on a hot summer day?

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

Every year during the summer months i dogs die for irresponsibility of owners, who leave them locked in their cars in the scorching heat.

What to do if we see an animal in distress locked in a car?

What to do if we see a dog locked in the car

During the summer months it is more and more common for dog owners to leave theirs pets locked in the cardespite the high temperatures. Although there is no obligation to intervene, many people, seeing an animal in difficulty, would like to take action in its defense, but what should i do if i notice a dog locked in a vehicle?

First of all we must evaluate if the car is in the sun with the windows closed on a hot day: in this case, the risk of an illness for the animal is high.
Let's check the condition of the animal to evaluate how to behave. If the dog is alert and shows no signs of distress, it is possible to try to trace the owner, who will almost certainly be in the area.

If the animal appears in distress or in an evident state of suffering, better request the intervention of the Local Police or the Carabinieri, who will open the car. Many recommend taking a picture of the dog locked in the car and then breaking the glass, but in this case you risk a complaint. In some cases, there is no charge of the crime of damage due to a declared state of necessity (governed by article 54 of the Criminal Code), but breaking the window of someone else's car there is a risk of having to compensate the car owner for the damage.

Certainly the choice on how to behave is subjective, but the advice is therefore to contact the Police and avoid taking panic-driven initiatives and that could cost you dearly.

In any case, we remind you that a dog should never be left in the car during hot days. If you are forced to leave the dog in the car, it should be placed in the shade and with the windows down. The dog should have water available and the owner's absence should not exceed two to three minutes. But better not leave them at all!

Inside the vehicle, in fact, the temperature can rise by 20 degrees in 20 minutes and a dog left in a car could lose its life in just six minutes. If you don't want to lose your four-legged friend, avoid abandoning him in the car, as even a few minutes could cost him his life.

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