Dog dies tragically while trying to escape hot car at shopping centre
WARNING – DISTRESSING CONTENT: A dog has tragically died after choking itself while trying to escape a hot car at a shopping centre.
A security guard made the grim discovery on Wednesday after the dog was left in the car with the window cracked at the Tweed Mall Shopping Centre.
A horrified witness snapped pictures of the scene and posted them to Facebook to warn people to take care of their pets.
“Left their dogs and a cat in the car and one of the dogs jumped out of the window and hung itself,” the post said.
“The dog was already dead when I found it hanging.”
Dog lovers were left distressed by the incident, with many saying it was heartbreaking.
“Wtf is wrong with people … seriously does my head in that there are people like them,” one commented.
“When are people going to learn … it’s not ok to leave animals or kids in the car regardless of the window being down or not,” another said.
A NSW Police spokeswoman told Yahoo News police attended the scene and examined the car.
It is understood the owner had been gone a matter of minutes and the circumstances do not indicate the dog was neglected.
Police have taken no action at this time, but warn people should never leave pets, children or the elderly relatives in cars.
Heat stress takes just six minutes
RSPCA NSW is urging pet owners to not leave dogs unattended in cars and ensure pets have constant access to water and shade as heat stress can develop in just six minutes in hot weather.
Last summer RSPCA NSW received 300 reports of animals with heat stress and 80 calls about pets locked in cars.
“It’s apparent some people are just not getting the message that a parked car is no place for a dog. It can be lethal, as we see all too often,” RSPCA NSW deputy chief inspector Scott Meyers said.
“It only takes six minutes for an animal to die from heat stroke. Cars parked in the sun can reach temperatures in excess of 80 degrees Celsius, and can remain dangerously hot even if the windows are open.”
Mr Meyers said cars left stationary in the sun became ovens. Ute trays also become extremely hot.
An owner can receive a $22,000 fine and a two-year prison sentence if a dog dies from being left in a car.
“Parked cars are death traps. Just don’t do it,” he said.
