14.3 Companion Animals confined in Vehicles

Companion Animals confined in Vehicles Policy A companion animal should not be confined or left unattended in a parked or stationary vehicle. Exposure to extremes of temperature may lead to a critical situation or even the death of the animal. Law enforcement officers or other individuals entrusted with the protection of animals should be supported in their actions to remove affected animals from these conditions.

Background Every year numerous companion animals are found locked in vehicles with a proportion of those suffering hyperthermia, and of those a number of deaths. The immediate welfare issue that this presents is extremely important. The temperature within a vehicle, even with partially open windows, rises quickly and to significant levels when in moderate and especially in high ambient temperatures [1]. This increase in temperature puts the animals enclosed in those vehicles at very high risk of suffering hyperthermia. In a recent study performed in the California, temperature changes within a vehicle were monitored. Temperatures rose 22°C within 60 minutes on average, with even the coolest ambient temperatures producing vehicles with an internal temperature of 47°C. Windows opened to 40mm had no significant effect on speed of temperature increase or the temperature reached [1]. Other studies [2-4] have had similar results (including a study in Brisbane, Australia [5]) indicating that temperatures within enclosed vehicles, and those with a small amount of ventilation, rise to levels that interfere with the health of those animals inside. Members of the community charged with protecting the welfare of our companion animals, such as Police Officers, Animal Welfare Officers and Firefighters, are at times requested to intervene in situations where companion animals are locked within vehicles by members of the public. Whilst avenues of enquiry to find the vehicle owners must be pursued, the immediacy of the welfare issue may require a more direct approach by these personnel ie: immediate removal from the vehicle. The AVA supports the education of pet owners and the public at large to the dangers of leaving animals in vehicles. Many people are aware that “dogs die in hot cars” however most would be ignorant to this being an issue in relatively mild ambient temperatures (22°C), even with a “cracked window” form of ventilation (Which only reduces the speed of heating from 1.9°C/5 min to 1.7°C/5 min). Programs coordinated by welfare groups, governmental bodies and the AVA itself should be repeated frequently so a reduction in the number of animals harmed in these situations can be reduced.

References 1.

2. 3. 4.

McLaren, C., J. Null, and J. Quinn, Heat stress from enclosed vehicles: moderate ambient temperatures cause significant temperature rise in enclosed vehicles. Pediatrics, 2005. 116(1): p. e109-12. Gibbs, L.I., D.W. Lawrence, and M.A. Kohn, Heat exposure in an enclosed automobile. J La State Med Soc, 1995. 147(12): p. 545-6. Surpure, J.S., Heat-related illness and the automobile. Ann Emerg Med, 1982. 11(5): p. 263-5. Roberts, K.B. and E.C. Roberts, The automobile and heat stress. Pediatrics, 1976. 58(1): p. 101-4.

5.

King, K., K. Negus, and J.C. Vance, Heat stress in motor vehicles: a problem in infancy. Pediatrics, 1981. 68(4): p. 579-82.