CAR parking staff in the New Forest will be taking action if they spot a dog in distress in a hot vehicle this summer.

The district council has joined forces with the charity Dogs Trust to prevent dogs from dying on warm days. As well as being home to many dog owners, the New Forest welcomes thousands of visitors each summer who bring along their dogs. All of the council's 51 car parks will be monitored, and staff will call the police if they see a dog in distress in a hot vehicle.

Lee Paris, senior campaigns officer at Dogs Trust, said when it is 22c outside, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47c within an hour.

“Many people still believe that it's okay to leave a dog in a car on a warm day if the windows are left open or they're parked in the shade, but the truth is it's not.

“A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn't feel that warm and a dog can die in a hot car in twenty minutes.

“We are delighted to be working with New Forest District Council to raise awareness of the dangers and to try and prevent the heartbreak and distress caused when a much loved family pet suffers, or dies, because they have been left in a car on a summer’s day.”

There will also be Dogs Die in Hot Cars signs and stickers in car parks and on ticket machines, reminding people to never leave their dog in a car on a warm day.

Cllr Alison Hoare, portfolio holder for the environment at the council, said: “We want people to enjoy the summer months with their dogs safely. Nobody ever thinks it’s going to happen to them or their much loved family pet yet every year many people still gamble with their dog’s life by leaving them alone in a car on a warm day.

“Working with Dogs Trust we are determined to make people aware of the dangers, and if a member of our car parking teams spots a dog in distress, they will call 999 immediately. This will help ensure the dogs can be removed from the car as quickly as possible, in a safe and legal manner.”

Dogs Trust and NFDC advise that if you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call 999 immediately. Signs of heat stroke in dogs include heavy panting, excessive drooling, vomiting, being drowsy and uncoordinated, and collapsing. To help a dog in this condition, place them in the shade, pour small amounts of tepid, not cold, water onto their body, help them to drink small amounts of tepid water and, once their breathing has settled, call the nearest vet.

You can find out more about caring for dogs in the hot weather on the Dogs Trust website at www.dogstrust.org.uk/news-events/issues-campaigns/hot-dogs/