As the UK continues to experience rising summer temperatures, a leading GAP insurance provider has issued a stark warning about the dangers of leaving dogs in parked vehicles. New figures released by ALA Insurance, based on Freedom of Information requests to all 40 UK police forces, reveal that 2,031 incidents of dogs left in hot cars were recorded between 2014 and early 2025. That equates to an average of four reports per week, with June being the most perilous month, accounting for 301 cases.
Usable data was obtained from 13 forces, while others cited time or cost limitations. Hertfordshire Police recorded the highest number of incidents at 453, followed by Lancashire with 360 and Cambridgeshire with 266. In these cases, dogs frequently showed signs of distress such as panting, barking, or immobility – indications of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Lucia Oliveira, a Registered Veterinary Nurse who partnered with ALA Insurance, explained how quickly a parked car can become dangerous. She said, “Studies have shown that a car’s temperature can rise by as much as 10 to 15 degrees in only 15 minutes. Leaving a window slightly open does not slow down the heating process or contribute to reducing the temperature inside. In such hot conditions, heatstroke will develop quite rapidly – a life-threatening condition where the body temperature rises to a point where severe consequences, like organ failure and even death, can occur.” She added that key signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, hypersalivation, vomiting, red gums, seizures, and collapse.
Campaigns Manager Carrie Stones of the RSPCA echoed these warnings, pointing out that common assumptions among the public can prove deadly. “Many people think it’s ok to leave their dog in the car if they’re parked in the shade or the windows are open,” she said. “But a car can become as hot as an oven, even when the weather doesn’t feel that warm. When it’s 22 degrees Celsius outside, the car could reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour. It’s really important never to leave a dog inside a vehicle on a warm day – and if you see a dog in a hot car, to know what to do.”
The RSPCA urges members of the public to respond swiftly but responsibly when encountering a dog in distress. They recommend calling 999 if the dog shows signs of heatstroke such as heavy panting, drooling, vomiting, or collapse. Members of the public are advised not to break into a vehicle unless absolutely necessary, as this may be considered criminal damage. If action must be taken, it is important to first contact the police, document the dog’s condition with photographs or videos, and gather witness details. If the dog appears stable, people should try to find out how long it has been in the car by checking for parking tickets or requesting a loudspeaker announcement in nearby shops or venues.
Despite repeated awareness efforts, many remain unclear about the correct procedure. The RSPCA reports that 45% of people would still contact them rather than the police in an emergency, although only the police have the legal authority to intervene immediately.
Further highlighting the issue, the RSPCA’s VetCompass programme at the Royal Veterinary College reports that cases of heatstroke related to vehicles have nearly doubled in recent years compared to before the pandemic. In response, the charity has launched a series of free online workshops called “Cool Dog Summer” to help owners protect their pets in warmer weather.
“We’re encouraging owners to do some ‘pet homework’ ahead of the warmer months and take simple steps now to reduce the risk to their animals,” said Stones.
As temperatures continue to rise and June 2025 ranks among the hottest on record, ALA Insurance is calling on drivers to avoid bringing dogs on car journeys unless absolutely necessary. The risk posed by heat in enclosed vehicles remains extreme, and even short delays can result in fatal outcomes.