A NEW poster campaign has been launched highlighting the dangers of keeping dogs in cars.

As the summer season gets fully under way residents are being warned of the dangers of keeping dogs in cars in hot weather.

Launched by Chard resident Judy Gray and district councillor Amanda Broom, posters warning of the dangers will be put up in car parks across Somerset urging motorists to remove dogs from vehicles.

Temperatures can rise quickly inside cars. If it is 22 degrees Celsius outside, this can quickly become 47 degrees Celsius in the car, and possibly fatal to any pooches that are being kept inside.

More than 400 posters will be put up across car parks in the six districts in the county, and the posters also give advice to anyone who might spot a dog in a car and fear for its safety.

Ms Gray, who is spearheading the campaign, said: “The RSPCA website has more information, but even when it doesn’t feel warm, cars heat up as hot as ovens.

“Twenty-two degrees outside can get as high as 47 degrees inside a car, in less than an hour.

“Having contacted district, borough and unitary councils I am delighted at the heart-warming responses I have received – this has spurred me on to continue raising awareness across the country.”

It is the second time the campaign has been launched, and posters will also be on display in shops throughout town centres.

Cllr Broom said: “Any additional support we can give to the national RSPCA campaign can only be positive – the more people who are aware of the risks, the more people who will leave their dogs at home and look out for dogs trapped in cars.

“It is traumatising to see any dog suffering in this way, and most people do not realise how quickly heatstroke can take hold.”

Leaving your dog in a car can cause stress and injury to your dog, even if it’s for a short period of time.

Each year, thousands of beloved companions die due to heatstroke and suffocation when left in parked cars.

It happens most often when people make quick stops - the dry cleaners, the bank or the local shop.

Councillor Carol Goodall, portfolio holder for environmental health at the district council, said: “Leaving your dog on its own in a car to suffer in hot weather is an act of cruelty. Our Enforcement Officers will not hesitate to act and will call the police if an animal is seen in distress.

“The advice is simple - dogs die in hot cars; don’t leave your dog on its own in a car”.

South Somerset District Council is not responsible for animal welfare, this responsibility falls to the RSPCA, but the council’s enforcement officers still look out for distressed dogs and will report any incidents such as dogs being left in cars to the Police and RSPCA.

If you see a distressed dog in a car on a warm day, call the police on 999. If the police are unable to attend, please call the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.