The tragic deaths took place over the weekend as three dog owners left animals unattended in cars as temperatures rose to over 30 degrees Celsius in parts of the UK.

On Monday, the Met Office issued a heatwave warning across large parts of the UK, with temperatures expected to rise to 32 degree Celsius in the coming days. Such high temperatures are intensified through car windscreens and windows, and even with windows open it can take just 20 minutes for dogs to suffer from heatstroke and die an agonising death.

The Kennel Club ‘Open for Dogs’ campaign encourages more businesses to accept dogs, avoiding the need to leave them unattended in hot cars. Thousands of dog-friendly attractions are currently listed on the website www.openfordogs.org.uk.

Caroline Kisko, Communications Director at the Kennel Club, commented: “Even responsible dog owners can make the mistake of not realising just how lethal travelling in the heat with their dog can be.

“The soaring temperatures only intensify the problem dogs have when travelling in hot conditions. I would urge owners to only travel if they can ensure that their dog can be kept cool, and if their destination is dog-friendly so they are not left in a vehicle.

“Restrictions for dog owners on where they can take their dog seem to be an ever increasing dilemma for many. We are constantly lobbying with our ‘Open for Dogs’ campaign, to ensure that dogs are welcome wherever their owners wish to travel. If this is not possible then people really must either leave their dog at home or not travel at all.”

Guidelines for travelling with your dog can be downloaded from a special section of the Kennel Club website - www.doginformation.org.uk.

Tips for travelling with your dog:

ALWAYS

Actively seek dog-friendly places to go if you are travelling anywhere with your dog.
Consider the weather and your journey in advance, especially if you don’t have air conditioning in your car. Think about whether the journey for your dog is absolutely necessary.
Make sure your dog has plenty of space in the car and isn’t squashed or forced to sit in direct sunlight.
Make sure there is shade provided; even in an air conditioned car a dog can become too hot if in full sun.
Make sure plenty of stops are taken with lots of water available to drink.
Take cold water in a thermos rather than a plastic bottle so it stays cold rather than being luke warm. Ice cubes are helpful in a thermos for cooling too.

NEVER

Leave a dog unattended in a car, even with the window open and water available. Take them out of the car and find a secure, cool place with access to shade and water.
Let your dog take part in unnecessary exertion, or stand in exposed sunlight for extended lengths of time.
Pass by a dog if you see one suffering in a car. Whether it be in a supermarket car park or at a show, make sure you let someone in authority know and if in doubt call the police or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999, the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999, the Ulster SPCA on 028 9081 4242.