A car parked in the sun: a death trap for the dog
When the outside temperature exceeds 20°C, the passenger compartment of a parked vehicle can turn into a real death trap for any animal left locked up there.
And for good reason: the temperature can rise dangerously in just a few minutes. In the passenger compartment of a car parked in the sun, the temperature can reach 50°C in less than a quarter of an hour and rise to over 80°C in barely an hour! These temperatures, which are already unbearable for a human being, are even more so for a dog who, let's remember, regulates its internal temperature very badly, for lack of being able to sweat.The risk is then to increase the dog's internal temperature to levels that very quickly put his life in danger.
Even for a few minutes, never leave your dog alone in a car parked in the sun or even in the shade during a heat wave. Windows left ajar or sun visors are also not effective enough to cool the passenger compartment sufficiently.
But what if you find a dog locked in a car?
How to react?
The first thing to do is to check that the master is not near the vehicle where the animal is locked up in order to warn him of the danger they are putting him in danger. You have to act quickly because the temperature inside the cabin rises very quickly!
If you are unable to locate it, notify the local police or gendarmerie immediately. Article 20 of the law of January 6, 1999 authorizes you to open the vehicle when it turns out that the life of the animal is in danger, in the presence of a gendarme or a policeman.In addition, you can also call an animal protection association.
If the situation is too urgent to wait for the arrival of the authorities or help (animal unconscious, abnormally agitated or having obvious difficulty breathing), you can take the decision to break a window of the vehicle. If necessary, surround yourself with at least two witnesses who agree to testify on your behalf (and for whom you will have requested full contact details) and who will be able to attest to the danger for the dog in the event that the owner of the vehicle files a complaint against you for breaking into or deliberately damaging his vehicle (because, yes, he has every right to do so!). You can also ask one of his witnesses to take a video or photos of the animal locked in the vehicle with his smartphone (but the video alone does not constitute legal proof of your good faith).
In theory, when it is obvious that the life of the animal is threatened, article 122-7 of the New Code of Criminal Procedure protects you.It stipulates that "a person is not criminally liable who, faced with a present or imminent danger which threatens himself, others or property, performs an act necessary to safeguard the person or property" . That said, always be aware that it does not guarantee that the owner of the vehicle will not take action against you.
To break the car window, use a tool, being careful to protect your hands and eyes. Choose to break the glass farthest from the animal so that broken glass does not hurt it.
How to provide first aid to the animal?
Get the dog out of the vehicle and immediately place him in the shade or in an air-conditioned place. Refresh him with a damp cloth/T-shirt or fresh but not too cold water to avoid any thermal shock and give him something to drink if he is still able to do so. It is advisable to call the nearest veterinarian whether the dog is awake or unconscious.Depending on his condition, he may need to be taken to the nearest clinic.
Warning!
Some dogs can be threatening to their rescuer. Don't take any chances if the dog shows any signs of aggression.
If you yourself broke the window of the vehicle in the absence of a gendarme or a policeman, stay on the spot until the arrival of the Authorities. Only an Animal Protection Association can file a complaint against the owner of the rescued animal.