Make it law that dogs cannot be walked in hot weather · petition

What the petition asks

I want you to make it a law that dog owners cannot walk their dogs or take them out when temperatures reach heatwave conditions, such as above 30 degrees. Or even 25 degrees as even this temperature causes massive health risks to dogs. This would also include leaving dogs in hot cars

Every year many dogs die from being taken out during heatwave temperatures when it poses a massive risk to their health. within only 20 minutes of a dog being out in these temperatures they can succumb to collapsing and then death. It’s something we can change and it’s causing unnecessary suffering to these animals who cannot speak for themselves. It is cruelty, dogs not only suffer heat stroke but severe burns on their feet because the tarmac heats up even hotter than the outside temperature.

Why it was rejected

The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.

We understand you're concerned about the welfare of dogs in hot weather, however the Animal Welfare Act 2006 already makes it an offence if a person causes, by act or omission, an animal to suffer. This would cover suffering caused by taking a dog for a walk in excessive heat.

The Government's code of practice for the welfare of dogs, which provides owners and keepers with information on how to meet the welfare needs of their animals, and can be used in courts as evidence in cases brought before them relating to poor welfare, specifically highlights the risks of heat stress: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697953/pb13333-cop-dogs-091204.pdf

Decisions about investigating alleged animal welfare offences and prosecuting these are a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service, not the Government or House of Commons.

If you're concerned about a specific incident, you may wish to report it directly to the RSPCA: https://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/contactus/reportcruelty

Timeline

20 Jul 2021	Petition opened for signatures
22 Jul 2021	Rejected by the Petitions Committee