Police have been called to the Silver Sands Shopping Complex on Thursday after receiving reports of a “distressed and agitated” dog in a parked car.
A WA Police spokesman said a member of the public reported the dog as barking and visibly distressed, about 1.30pm.
The person said one window was ajar.
At the time of the incident, the outside temperature was about 33 degrees.
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The police spokesman said the car had left the scene by the time officers arrived.
RSPCA WA received more than 140 reports of dogs being left in parked cars on hot days between December 1, 2018 and January 18, 2019.
In summer, leaving your dog in the car for ‘just a few minutes’ could be too long.
- RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift
RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift said the number of reports of dogs being left in cars on hot days was concerning.
“We often hear from owners that their dog suffers separation anxiety, so has to be brought along for trips to the shops,” she said.
“But it’s actually far more stressful for a dog to be left alone in a hot car in an unfamiliar car park than to be left at home with an enrichment toy or treat.
“The effects of heatstroke can be long-lasting and cause serious long-term health problems, like organ damage – this can happen hours and even days after the dog has been removed from a hot car.
“In summer, leaving your dog in the car for ‘just a few minutes’ could be too long.
“Your dog’s life is simply not worth gambling with.”
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
