Drivers face huge £5,000 fine and smashed windows with a dog in the car

Britons have been revelling in the warm summer weather for weeks, with many choosing to visit coastal areas and popular staycation locations in recent months.

However, with the warm weather comes the risk of overheating when on the roads, especially if they have pets in the car.

With the high temperatures, there have been some instances around the UK where people have left their dogs and other pets inside the car while they run a quick errand.

Even though a trip may only be quick, leaving pets in the car in sweltering temperatures can lead to them suffering from heatstroke, something which can potentially be fatal.

When it is 22C outside, the RSPCA reported that the car can reach 47C within an hour, potentially causing lasting harm to the animal.

According to Blue Cross, the animal welfare charity, people should always call the police using 999 to tell them if they are intending to smash a window to free a dog in a hot car.

If someone decides to break into a car without proper justification, it could be seen as criminal damage and they would need to defend their actions in court.

People should take pictures or videos of the dog in distress and the names and phone numbers of witnesses.

The Blue Cross also states that the Criminal Damage Act 1971 provides “a lawful excuse to commit damage if you believe that the owner of the property that you damage would consent to the damage if they knew the circumstances”.

More recently, manufacturers have introduced features to protect dogs when they are placed or left in hot cars.

Tesla, for example, has “Dog Mode” which is a setting allowing the driver to set the temperature to keep the vehicle cool and comfortable.

The temperature will also be displayed on the central infotainment screen, as well as a message stating that the owner will return shortly.

This mode also allows drivers to monitor the temperature of their car from the mobile app when they are away.

When travelling with a dog, motorists must ensure that their pets are suitably restrained and do not distract the driver, or this could make the situation far more dangerous.

A spokesperson for Fletchers Group said: “Under Rule 57 of the Highway Code, dogs must be suitably restrained whilst you are driving. This is so they cannot distract you or injure you if you were to stop quickly.

“You can receive a fine of up to £5,000 if caught improperly restraining your dog when driving, where you risk going to court and receiving nine points on your licence. 

“Even if the case doesn’t result in going to court, you can still be liable to pay a £1,000 fine and receive penalty points.”