The presence of a dog in a vehicle alerted passers-by, who informed the police who intervened shortly after to fine the owner. Despite the significant risk, this owner left his dog locked in his car while he appeared to be playing at the casino in Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Basque Country). The police removed the dog from the vehicle, parked in the Grande Plage parking lot. The owner was fined 135 euros.
The canine's situation could have gone badly with a thermometer that showed very high temperatures. The dog was barking to signal his presence, and it was thanks to these noises that he was able to get out of the vehicle, safe and sound.
In an overheated vehicle, without water
Even though it was only a few minutes, the dog was at risk of dehydration. It was passers-by who noticed his presence, explains South Westand who contacted the police. A team went to the scene, broke the window of the vehicle to reach the animal, relieved to get out of this very uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening situation.
The owners, who had gone to play at the casino, were quickly found and had to pay the fine of 135 euros. They received a reminder of the law, detailing the extreme seriousness of their act.
“We never leave an animal locked in a car alone”
As a police officer recalls: “10 minutes in a car is enough for it to be fatal for the animal”. The ban on leaving an animal in a vehicle is strict, and should never be an exception. He adds: “Heatwave or not, only one principle: you never leave an animal locked alone in a car”, and: “Man’s best friend also fears the heat”.
How to protect your dog during high heat?
Regulating body temperature is more difficult in dogs. Here are some reflexes to adopt to preserve it as much as possible:
- Give him plenty of fresh water and encourage him not to stay in the sun
- Walk him when temperatures are still cool, early in the morning, later in the evening
- Moisten his paws, stomach and chest, but never with ice water
- Never leave the dog alone in a car
- Contact a veterinarian if you have difficulty breathing or worrying changes in behavior.