Tesco staff to patrol car parks to make sure dogs aren’t locked in hot cars during heatwave

Members of staff will now be patrolling Tesco car parks to check for dogs left in cars during the country’s ongoing heatwave.

The retailer announced today that it is working alongside the RSPCA to ensure that no dogs are left in swelteringly hot cars during the warm weather, Birmingham Live reported. 

The initiative, which has trained staff members to recognise the signs of heatstroke and to help animals suffering from it, is being implemented at several branches across the country.

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A spokesperson said: “We are working with the RSPCA and all of our colleagues in store have received training to ensure animal welfare is protected. Our colleagues regularly patrol our car parks and are given guidance on what to do if they spot a dog unattended in a car.”

The move comes as the country continues to be gripped by a heatwave, with has seen temperature highs of 31 degrees celsius. Yet while this hot weather may be a treat for most of us, for our dogs, it can be deadly. 

Dogs are unable to regulate their body temperatures as well as we do; panting is the only way a dog can cool down and, sadly, it isn’t enough to stop them from overheating. In warm weather, the temperature inside a parked car can climb rapidly and will be much higher than outside of the vehicle. 

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Dogs left alone in a car on a hot day can quickly become dehydrated, develop heatstroke or die, even with the windows cracked open.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs include heavy panting and excessive drooling. They may appear lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated, or collapse and vomit in extreme circumstances.

The RSPCA advises people to dial 999 immediately if an animal stuck in a car is displaying these symptoms.

The ongoing heatwave is showing no sign of slowing down as the Met Office says it could get even hotter this week, with highs of 31 degrees celsius.