Many people are enjoying this heatwave, but the sweltering summer heat poses a huge risk for dogs who are left in baking hot cars. It’s dangerous, it can kill them, and it has to stop - so I’m calling on the government to make it illegal to leave dogs in hot cars.

I work at a pet shop and I have four dogs of my own. While at work I keep hearing from customers who’ve seen dogs left in dangerously hot vehicles during this heatwave.

A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn’t feel that warm. And leaving a window open or parking in the shade doesn’t make much difference. When it’s 22 degrees outside, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour.

Many of the offenders get off with just a warning. This is because you can only get convicted under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act if your dog dies or falls ill from being left in a car. This means that dogs up and down the country are being tortured time and again, with no consequences for the owner. If it’s made illegal to leave a dog in a hot car, it will send out a clear message, act as a strong deterrent and help save many vulnerable dogs from unnecessary distress and death.

The new law should also be signposted in car parks to help make dog owners aware and deter them from breaking the law.

The heatwave is set to continue so we need as many signatures as possible to change the law and save dogs’ lives! Please sign!