The Blue Cross recommends the following for dogs in heat waves.

Heatstroke in Dogs

Dogs can suffer fatal heatstroke within minutes. Unlike humans, dogs can’t sweat through their skin and so they rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature and keep cool. Imagine wearing a thick winter coat on a hot summer’s day and you’ll understand why dogs succumb to heatstroke so easily.  Signs of heatstroke in dogs include collapse, excessive panting, and dribbling.  If you suspect your pet is suffering from the condition, move them to a cool place, preferably with a draught, wet their coat with cool – not freezing – water, and contact your vet immediately.  Once a dog shows signs of heatstroke the damage is often already done, which is why it’s so important to prevent it

Dogs in hot cars

Never leave a dog in a car, even for a moment. “Not long” is too long.  A car can become an oven very quickly even when it doesn’t feel that warm. When it is 22°c outside – within an hour – the temperature in a car can reach an unbearable 47°c.

Can I smash a window to free a dog from a hot car?  If you see a dog in distress inside a car, official advice is to dial 999 immediately and ask for the police. A dog in distress in a hot car is an emergency and the police will advise you what to do based on the situation.  Depending on the severity of the situation, the police may attend and break into the car to gain access to the dog, or they may advise you to do this. Call the police and tell them what you intend to do and why. Take photos and/or videos of the dog in distress and the names and phone numbers of witnesses.

How to keep a dog cool and prevent heatstroke

• Make sure your dog has access to clean water at all times, ideally a large bowl filled to the brim. Carry water and a bowl with you on walks.
• On hot days, walk your dog during the cooler parts of the day, in the early morning and late evening
• Watch your pet for signs of over-heating, including heavy panting and loss of energy. If you recognise these signs when on a walk, stop, find a shady spot and give your dog water.
• Never leave your dog (or any pet) alone in a car, even with the windows open
• Be particularly careful with short-nosed dogs such as bull breeds, boxers, pugs, older dogs, and those that are overweight. These dogs can get heatstroke simply by running around.
• Hold your hand for 5-10 seconds on a paving stone or road etc. If you cannot keep your hand there then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws too. So walk in the cooler parts of the day.

Dog mess is a serious health hazard. If you are a dog owner, you have a legal duty to clean up every time your dog fouls in a public place. There are marked dog bins provided in the village to dispose of bags of dog mess. If you cannot find one, please take your dog bag home and dispose of it in an ordinary household black bin.

It is an offence not to clean up dog mess on the Village Green and the footpaths. Under those orders, a person who doesn’t clean up after their dog may face an on-the-spot fixed penalty fine of up to £80. If a person refuses to pay they can be taken to the local Magistrates for the dog fouling offence and fined up to £1,000.

If residents wish the footpaths to continue to be cut, dog walkers must pick up their dog’s mess.  If residents see anyone allowing their dogs to foul the Village Green or the footpaths,  please report it to the Parish Clerk, Heather Bourner.