Author: Jasmine Kleine

The RSPCA is issuing a fresh appeal to pet owners not to leave their dogs in cars or caravans as temperatures are set to soar to 31C this week.

The animal welfare charity had more than 100 calls over the weekend from members of the public concerned about dogs in hot environments – including cars, caravans, conservatories and sheds – as temperatures climbed.

On Saturday and Sunday (16 and 17 July), the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency line had 106 reports of dogs left in hot environments and the influx of calls has prompted the charity to reissue its appeal to owners never to leave their pet unattended in a vehicle when it’s warm.

Inspector Justin Stubbs shared his harrowing experience of seeing dogs who have died in hot cars following the deaths of three dogs this summer. And the animal charity expects many more emergency calls to dogs left in vehicles over the coming weeks.

In an open letter to dog owners, inspector Stubbs writes: “This summer we have already seen the deaths of three dogs, left in a car. The weather was overcast, and if you believe weather forecasts, not hot. But it was warm, it was humid, Met Office records show the temperature in the area ranged from 16-19 degrees for the period of time the dogs were left, they also show high humidity levels, these three dogs tragically died.

“They died a long, slow, agonising death.

“No one leaves their dogs in a car to die on purpose. I deal with pets in cars every week as it is not just dogs that are left, and the majority of the time the owners return with attitude. A few apologise, listen to advice, and probably change their way of doing things. Still too many, however, believe their pets are fine, the weather isn’t or wasn’t hot, they insist the RSPCA and onlookers are overreacting. They tell me how the dogs are better looked after than themselves. Then when we’ve reached the end of the conversation, they get in their car and without exception, every time, they drive off with their windows down and/or air conditioning on.

“There is NO good reason to bring your dog out in your car in warm weather and leave it while you go to do your shopping, doctor’s appointment, or visit the pub. Sadly, our inspectors anecdotally report it is often older owners who are the most commonly found to leave the dogs in a car.

“I can’t unsee the terrible things I have seen.

“Myself and my fellow inspectors at the RSPCA are used to dealing with all aspects of animal cruelty but to witness a dead dog in a hot car is particularly harrowing. When you go home at night, it is hard to put out of your mind that they would have slowly stifled to death, gasping for air. When a dog is left in a car for a prolonged period of time their skin blisters and they suffocate. It’s hard to think of anything worse.

“So any dog owners out there this summer, I would ask please never leave your dog in the car, there is really no excuse.”

The RSPCA teamed up with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association (BVA), Dog’s Trust, The Kennel Club, The Mayhew Animal Home, National Animal Welfare Trust, The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), PDSA, #TeamOtisUK and Wood Green The Animals Charity earlier this month to launch this year’s ‘Dogs Die in Hot Cars’ campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving dogs – and other pets – in hot environments

The Secret Life of Pets hit UK cinemas on Friday (8 July) and tells the tail of Max and his animal friends when their owners aren’t about.

The RSPCA is using the family film to raise awareness of the number of dogs being left alone on a daily basis in England and Wales, and is issuing advice to animal owners on how to help their pets if they think they have separation anxiety.

The RSPCA believes the number of dogs being left alone is increasing due to modern-day lifestyles and a misconception that it is okay to leave them alone all day.

Most dogs like human company and form strong bonds with their owners and other family members so can find it difficult being left alone, especially if they haven’t been taught that it is okay.

Separation related behaviour – most commonly destructive behaviour (often targeted at the door the owner has left through); howling, barking or whining; or defecating and urinating – normally starts within the first 30 minutes of being alone and usually begins almost right away. Dogs can also show more subtle signs of being stressed or unsettled such as salivating excessively, vomiting, self-mutilating or acting in a repetitive way.

Research carried out for the Channel Four’s Dogs: Their Secret Lives found that 85% of the dogs studied showed signs of not coping when left alone. In the UK, where there are thought to be 8.5m pet dogs, that’s more than 7m dogs suffering from stress and anxiety.

“Separation related behaviour and anxiety has the potential to be a significant welfare problem,” Dr Samantha Gaines, RSPCA dog welfare expert, says.

“It is a hidden issue as, by its very nature, it only happens when the owner is absent and unless the dogs is filmed when left alone, it can be difficult to know if your dog is struggling.”

If you are unsure as to what your dog does when on his or her own then filming them can help reassure you that he or she is ok. If they are not then we would encourage owners to seek treatment.

This behaviour is treatable so, if your dog is showing these signs, the RSPCA advises you to speak to a vet or a clinical animal behaviourist.

It is also preventable, and there is lots of information available on the RSPCA website for new owners including a step-by-step guide to teach your dog that it’s all right to be alone.

Some tips for leaving your dog alone include exercising and feeding your dog before you go out, and leaving something to keep him busy so he doesn’t get bored; puzzle toys and feeding devices can be great entertainment. It’s also important to remember not to punish your dog if he has been to the toilet or been destructive while you are out as it could damage your relationship or make him even more anxious.

In the film, dachshund Buddy climbs up onto the kitchen counter and treats himself to a massage from the kitchen mixer while his owners are out. And cat Chloe breaks into the fridge to find her own treats as soon as the door is closed. But some real-life examples of separation-related behaviour are much more worrying

Robert Kugler’s dog Bella was diagnosed with bone cancer in May 2015. She had one of her legs amputated and beat the doctor’s prognosis on how long she’d survive. Her ex-Marine owner decided to give her the trip of a lifetime and so he packed up their belongings and hit the road to indulge in the sort adventure that will bring tears of joy to your eyes.

A national task force to tackle dog fighting on UK streets should be set up as a matter of urgency, said MPs at a backbench debate yesterday.

Cross-party MPs united to back calls by animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports for urgent action to be taken against dog fighting. The debate was called by Lisa Cameron MP following the launch of the League’s Project Bloodline report last month.

Dr Cameron, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow said: “Dog fighting is a cruel, barbaric, abhorrent and violent crime with no place in the UK. It is one of the most extreme forms of animal cruelty. I am pleased and heartened by the number of Members who have come to the debate, and I urge that we work together to eradicate dog fighting once and for all. I will not rest until dogs are protected.”

Adding his voice, George Eustice MP, Minister of State for Defra, said: “This is a repugnant activity. The cruelty is not just limited to dogs in fighting, but also those animals used for bait. I’d like to pay tribute to the work that the League Against Cruel Sports have done in this area, both to highlight the issue, but more importantly some of the work they are doing with enforcement and to help bring prosecutions where evil people engage in this practice of dog fighting.”

Based on the intelligence and experience gathered from Project Bloodline, the League Against Cruel Sports is calling for the implementation of a national dog fighting action plan which can be rolled out in any area where dog fighting is prevalent.

Based around three areas of Prevention, Understanding and Prosecution (PUP), recommendations include:

• The formation of a National Task Force, led by a senior figure in Government, to ensure sufficient collaboration and action takes place to tackle dog fighting across the country.
• Details of individuals banned from keeping dogs should be held on a national register by statutory agencies, helping to prevent further offences being committed whilst increasing opportunities for enforcement action.
• Legislation and penalties for offenders must be clarified and strengthened; the League is calling for a minimum three year custodial sentence for convicted dog fighters. Sentencing should reflect the spectrum of offending in relation to dog fighting (from street level dog fighting to organised crime). Rehabilitation programmes should be offered as part of the sentencing mix.
• The Dangerous Dog Act should be reviewed as a matter of urgency as we believe breed specific legislation is fundamentally flawed.

League Against Cruel Sports CEO Eduardo Gonçalves said:

“Dog fighting is abhorrent but it is lurking on our streets and in our parks. Dog fighting thrives on invisibility but the more we investigate, the more we find. Stories of fights in parks, dogs being trained using tyres, dogs being beaten until they submit to their owner’s will. Rumours of pet cats and dogs stolen by dog fighters spread through towns and cities.

“We are potentially facing a massive problem here, so I’m delighted that Project Bloodline has inspired MPs from across the UK to come together and pledge to tackle dog fighting head on. We’ll be doing everything we can to both lead and support on this issue, because we simply cannot allow such a barbaric activity to take place in this country.”

Lisa Cameron also praised the League Against Cruel Sports and the many other animal welfare organisations and charities who work on behalf of dogs.

“Without their vital work, we would have little awareness of the existence of the hidden, heinous crime of dog fighting,” she said. “They also work tirelessly for the protection and rehabilitation of dogs. I thank them for their work and for the recent reports bringing dog fighting to the mind of the public, including, crucially, our first national report on the state of dog fighting in the UK, from Project Bloodline, which was launched last year by the League Against Cruel Sports.”

Dog fighting is usually hidden from view, so more information is required to ascertain the full extent of the problem. Members of the public can help by watching out for signs of dog fighting, including:

• Large numbers of pit bull-type dogs being kept in one place
• Groups of people with tough-looking dogs congregating in out of the way areas
• Dogs with scars on their faces, front legs, and back end
• Training equipment such as tyres hanging from trees
• Unusually high numbers of people coming and going from a location at odd hours

We’re all used to seeing dogs doing clever tricks nowadays (Britain’s Got Talent, anyone?) but this is a dog who has a trick with a difference.

Man’s best friend playing the role of assistant in a way you might not have seen before.

Enjoy!

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Twelve organisations have teamed up to spread an important message among dog owners this summer.

Rescue and rehoming charities, veterinary associations, police, and welfare organisations are all working together to ensure owners know the dangers the warm weather can pose to dogs over the summer months.

The RSPCA receives thousands of reports of dogs suffering from heat exposure every year – that equates to one call every hour.

Already this summer the RSPCA have been called to three dogs which tragically died in a hot car.

Although the animal welfare charity records these calls as heat exposure in dogs – which can include dogs outside who are suffering from the heat, or dogs in conservatories or caravans – the majority of these incidents are dogs in hot cars.

In 2015, the RSPCA received 8,779 calls to report incidents of dogs suffering from heat exposure – more than 3,000 more than in 2010. But the number of calls did drop compared to 2014, when the charity saw a high of 10,229 incidents.

Incidents of dogs and heat exposure in England & Wales

The RSPCA and other organisations in the UK have teamed up to launch this year’s ‘Dogs Die in Hot Cars’ campaign to try to bring down this number of calls and raise awareness of the dangers of leaving dogs – and other pets – in hot environments.

Dog’s Trust, The Kennel Club and #TeamOtisUK are the latest groups to join the campaign, which is in its second year, with the support of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association (BVA), The Mayhew Animal Home, National Animal Welfare Trust, The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), PDSA and Wood Green Animal Shelter.

It’s important to remember not to leave any animal in a car or caravan, or in a conservatory or outbuilding, where temperatures can quickly rise, even when it doesn’t feel that warm outside. For example, when it’s 22C outside, within an hour the temperature can reach 47C inside a vehicle, which can result in deat