Dog owners across New Zealand are being warned to never leave their pets unattended in vehicles during the summer as it can cause severe distress and even death.

The repeated warning from New Zealand’s oldest animal welfare charity comes after a dog was found suffering in a hot car in Wellington with clear signs of heat stress.

The vehicle was parked in full sun, and although the outside temperature was 22C, the temperature inside the car was significantly higher, despite the windows being slightly open.

The large crossbreed dog was panting heavily, drooling and seeking shade in the footwell, which are clear signs of heat distress.

The SPCA inspector unsuccessfully tried to contact the owner via the car registration details.

After unsuccessful attempts to find the owner at nearby houses, the inspector made the call to remove the dog from the car.

Just as she was about to do so, the owner showed up and reluctantly opened the vehicle but showed no concern for the dog’s condition.

He said the dog “was fine” even though it tried to get out once the door was open.

The inspector gave the dog water, which it drank eagerly, draining the bowl quickly.

The owner then put the dog back in the hot car and drove away, but then returned, with the dog still inside and panting.

The owner was issued a $300 infringement fee and was educated on the risks of leaving his dog in the car on hot days.

SPCA said that even on a mild day, the temperature inside a car can rise rapidly.

On a 21C cay, a car parked in the shade, even with windows down, can reach more than 31C in just 10 minutes, and more than 40C in half an hour.

On hotter days, temperatures inside vehicles can exceed 50C, which can cause irreparable brain damage, organ failure or death.

Dogs pant to keep cool – something they cannot do effectively in warmer and enclosed spaces. Parking in the shade or cracking windows does little to reduce the risk.

SPCA gets hundreds of calls every summer about dogs left in hot cars – a preventable and heartbreaking welfare issue.

“You wouldn’t leave a child in a hot car,” said SPCA CEO Todd Westwood.

“Please do the same for your furry family members.

“If you can’t be without them, take them in the car in the evenings or in the early morning when the weather is cooler, or leave them at home in the shade. If your dog struggles with separation anxiety, speak to friends or family who may be able to care for them when you need to pop out.”

If you see a dog in distress inside a vehicle, call SPCA on 0800 SPCA NZ or contact the Police immediately.

Do not try to break the window yourself, as this can pose risks to both you and the animal.

SPCA has created downloadable posters, flyers and social media tiles to help raise awareness.

These can be found on the SPCA website: Dogs Die in Hot Cars – SPCA

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