It’s got to the time of year again when I find myself struggling with a small proportion of my fellow humans as I go out and about. It stresses me to the point of irrationality, and really gets my back up.
When it starts to get warmer outside and out pops Mr Sunlight, the animals that have spent the winter hibernating at their pathetically selfish and lazy owners request begin to appear again.
That aside, some of these fair weather dog walkers seem to think it’s ok to take their beloved to the supermarket, or the library, or the local MacDonalds, or the pub, or their work, and leave them there. They think that it’s ok to leave a window open an inch or two and that their faithful canine friends will be ok. On some occasions, they may be.
Is it worth the risk?
It only takes 20 minutes for a child or a dog to die a horrendous death in a hot car. And it doesn’t have to be blistering hot outside for the inside of a car to literally boil them to death from the inside out. Is that the kind of death you want for your child or your best friend.
Every year I come across self-centred, egotistical it won’t happen to me types, who think it is ok in hot weather to leave their dogs. Each time I feel compelled to stay and make sure the dog is ok. If you are one of the several I have called the authorities over, then that is just tough. I’d rather you hated me for reporting you, than risk the life of a dog that I could have saved from an awful death.
A woman at one of the local shops last week left her baby in a car with the engine running, and her handbag on the front seat and was happily queuing inside the shop for more than ten minutes. She got angry when she was challenged about how dangerous that was for the heat, and for the possibility of theft.
My children have had the SSPCA at school. They have been made aware of the dangers of animals and children in hot cars. Seeing a dog left while their owners totter off upsets them. It upsets me.
Don’t risk it.
Cass@frugalfamily says
April 24, 2011 at 5:40 pmCouldn’t agree more – why take them if you plan to leave them in the car. We have a new puppy and I would never do this, it’s irresponsible, cruel and dangerous.
I’ve reported people before who’ve left a baby in their car while they went into Tesco!
Crystal Jigsaw says
April 24, 2011 at 4:56 pmIt leaves me speechless. I put a note on someone’s windscreen once in a carpark in Berwick after seeing their huge labrador struggling to move about in the car. No window open. The note simply said, “I have made a note of your registration number and reported you to the RSPCA for cruelty to your dog.” I didn’t hear anything after reporting it but I felt better that I had.
CJ xx
Scottish Mum says
April 25, 2011 at 2:39 pmI can’t believe after all the campaigns that people still actually do it. Is amazing, and so senseless. Well done you.
Jill says
April 24, 2011 at 5:56 amHello from Australia,
I totally agree, it is too horrible to think about a kid or dog left in a car.
Having emigrated from Scotland/England to Cairns Australia,I am sure it would be an even quicker time that a child could be in trouble if left in a car.
How about the old, would you leave your kid in the car whilst paying for petrol one.
What is your view on that?
Our kids are now 5 and 7 and I would think about it now, but whilst they were babies, never. Equally, I have seen so many mum’s leave their pride and joys. Maybe it’s the Aussie, ‘She’ll be alright’ attitude or maybe just stupidity!
We are currently having a blog hop here in Australia, please feel free to pop over and join in.
I love your blog and would love to have you as part of our family friendly site!!
Scottish Mum says
April 25, 2011 at 2:40 pmIt really is awful isn’t it? I can imagine a very short time in Australia yes, will have a look at your site soon.
fastandluce says
April 21, 2011 at 5:13 pmShocker….Brilliant blog which I will retweet. They shouldnt be allowed to have kids or animals. I never ever leave my dog in the car – ventilated or not. Even in the winter when it is the opposite and freezing cold.
Mummy Manda says
April 21, 2011 at 2:24 pmThank you for raising this issue. I am not a dog owner but it really upsets me to see them in cars on hot days. Someone at my work left their dogs in the car and they both died. What happens to the dogs is absolutely horrific. Thankfully this man and his wife were punished.
I also don’t think it would occur to many people that leaving your baby in the car could have the same consequences. I am going to share this post and hopefully raise awareness. Thanks again. X
Scottish Mum says
April 21, 2011 at 3:45 pmIt really is awful to see dogs panting like mad, and that people seem to think that leaving the window open is enough to keep them safe, when it isn’t. There are lots of people who leave their babies or young children in their cars. People are told over and over not to do it, but most seem to take the “it will never happen to me” route. Your example of knowing someone it actually happened to, shows how dangerous it is.
milliepaw says
April 21, 2011 at 2:09 pmWe do not leave the dog alone. If she is with us then one of us stays in the car with her or walks her around the services/carpark, while the other nips to the loo/goes shopping. We miss out on things because we can not take her, but I do not mind. We book dog friendly places if we go away (or she goes in kennels) and she always has a bowl of water when we travel/walk with her. Really is no need for leaving a dog in a car. I am horrified someone would leave a child.
Scottish Mum says
April 21, 2011 at 3:47 pmPeople leave children more often that is sensible. The difference is most tend to hurry back a bit more than they do for dogs. Any time is too long though.
julesey10 says
April 21, 2011 at 3:22 amWell said. Its the most horrendously selfish and stupid thing to do. I shudder at the thought. I would never ever ever leave my child unattended anywhere in any weather. The animals in cars thing in heat upsets me too. I’m glad you put this up for people to think about before they take the risk. xxx
Scottish Mum says
April 21, 2011 at 3:49 pmI have never been able to understand the people who leave their animals and children in cars. I had three under three and I always took them all out of the car when I had to go to a shop with them, and I really can’t understand these people who leave 1 or 2 children to go shopping.