Can I smash the windshield of someone else's car? How quickly it becomes dangerous for dogs in a hot car

SDA

8.7.2020 - 15:57

In summer, hot cars can become a heat trap for dogs after just a few minutes. Swiss Animal Protection reminds us of the measures that you can take as an outsider without making yourself liable to prosecution. (archive picture)
Source: Keystone/DPA/STEPHAN JANSEN

As temperatures rise, the number of cases of dogs locked in hot cars increases. Around a dozen dog owners are convicted every year. The number of unreported cases is probably huge. The Swiss Animal Protection STS provides tips for owners and outsiders.

How quickly does it get too hot in the car?

As a rule of thumb: in direct sunlight, the car interior heats up by almost one degree per minute.
At a moderate 26 degrees outside, the temperature in the car rises to 44 degrees after just 30 minutes.
At 36 degrees, the temperature inside the car reaches 52 degrees after half an hour.
Even in cloudy or humid weather without direct sunlight, the temperature inside the car quickly rises to 50 degrees or more.
Most dogs can withstand temperatures above 40 degrees for a maximum of 15 minutes.

An open sunroof or a window left ajar is not enough to cool them down, even if the car is in the shade.

The limited air space in the car makes it impossible for the animal to dissipate heat by panting. As heat stress progresses, a dog can die of heat exhaustion due to circulatory collapse.

Every year, around a dozen dog owners are convicted of leaving dogs in overheated cars, in some cases with fines ranging from several hundred to more than a thousand francs.

Can I rescue a dog from someone else's car?

Outsiders are often the last resort for the poor animals. The STS reassures us that a third party has nothing to fear legally when rescuing an animal. It is simply important to observe the following: First, the dog owner should be sought, for example by having him/her called out in the shopping center. If he/she does not come, the police should be alerted. Only if the police do not arrive in time can you break the car window.

It is advisable to keep a written record of everything - from the condition of the animal to the smashing of the window - and/or document it with your cell phone to avoid being prosecuted for damage to property. Alarm signs in dogs are loud howling or whimpering, but also faintness, apathy and unconsciousness.

The STS advises that it is best to place the freed dog in the shade and moisten its body and legs with wet, cool cloths and wet its mouth with cold water. "Leave further treatment to a vet".