RSPCA Reveals What It's Like To Be A Dog In A Car During Heatwave
People are praising the RSPCA for their recent video which demonstrates just how dangerous it is to leave dogs sitting in cars as temperatures continue to rise across the UK.
RSPCA employee Chris O'Brien took it upon himself to test out the fatal conditions that dogs face when they're locked in their owners' cars during particularly warm spells.
Sitting in his car for 25 minutes, Chris recorded regular updates as the heat in the vehicle got more and more unbearable. Watch here:
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When he started the experiment, Chris was sitting in 23.3°C heat, but within the space of just five minutes, the temperature had shot up to over 35°C.
The RSPCA worker also noted that he had struggled to keep his camera working because of the heat.
At the ten minute mark, a red-faced Chris gave viewers an update, telling them: "It's so, so hot in here. I feel my heart beating. I'm breathing quite a bit heavier.
"But I know I can just get out of the car, so if I didn't know that, goodness knows how I'd feel.
"The temperature is continuing to absolutely sky-rocket in here. It's now 43.6°C."
By the time 15 minutes had passed, Chris's thermometer hit a stifling 48.8°C. And not five minutes later, it had soared to 53.1°C.
When he reached the 25 minute mark, Chris issued a final update to viewers before he let himself out of the car.
Compared to the initial 23.3°C heat that he had started with, Chris recorded a final temperature of 57.1°C just 25 minutes later - a time period that "probably isn't even a shopping trip for some people," he noted.
"A real eye-opener to what it's like in the car in this sort of environment," he said.
"As I said, I've been in this car for 26 minutes and I cannot imagine what this would feel like to a dog. If you see a dog in distress, make sure you call 999."
TikTok viewers were seriously impressed with Chris's commitment to the cause, and even suggested that his video be aired on national television.
"Thank you RSPCA for making this video," commented one user.
"People really need to be aware how absolutely dangerous this is to dogs and children."
"Man probably gave himself heatstroke to prove that you shouldn't leave dogs in cars. Mad respect," wrote a second.
"This needs to be run on tv nationally. Well done," a third added.
"When people say 'it was only for 5 minutes', show them this video!" suggested a fourth.
The RSPCA asks that if you see a dog in distress in a car on a warm day, dial 999 at once.
For further information and advice, visit the RSPCA website here.
Ali Condon