Insurer warns against leaving pets in vehicles during summer

Posted : 19-06-2006

As temperatures soar across the UK, over 18.3 million Brits have witnessed an animal locked in a parked car during the day.

Over half of British adults have witnessed pets locked in cars on hot days, 5.3 million of which did not attempt a rescue, according to a survey carried out by Halifax Insurance.

The insurer warned that temperatures inside a car on a hot day can double those outside within six to ten minutes.

Mathew Long, senior products manager at Halifax pet insurance, said: "First and foremost prevention is better than cure. Under no circumstances is it acceptable to leave a pet unattended inside a car on a warm or even mild day. In a matter of minutes an animal can become distressed in these conditions, and of course temperatures can quickly change.

"Anyone that sees an animal suffering inside a hot car should phone both the RSPCA and the Police immediately."

Of those who have witnessed a pet left unattended inside a vehicle, 1.5 million did make an attempt at rescue, the survey found.

Almost one million of those surveyed said that they had made an attempt to increase air flow to the trapped animal, by smashing one of the cars windows.

Last June 12th was the hottest on record.


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