Petition · past parliament
Change laws to stop dogs walked in extreme heat and left locked in hot cars.
Rejected
12 signatures
What the petition asks
Fine people who leave dogs in cars in extreme heat, putting their lives at risk from dying.
People who walk dogs on pavements in midday sun in extreme high temperatures are risking the dogs life with heatstroke. Their paw pads being burnt.
Both acts are against dog welfare and are abusive.
People who walk dogs on pavements in midday sun in extreme high temperatures are risking the dogs life with heatstroke. Their paw pads being burnt.
Both acts are against dog welfare and are abusive.
Both acts are against dog welfare and are abusive. It is cruel
People need to be accountable for acts of ignorant cruelty. Raising awareness on social media is ignored so fine people and change the law.
You would not leave a small child shut in a car with no water or air.
You would not allow a small child to be dragged barefoot wearing a buttoned up floor length winter coat on a scorching pavement.
There are laws to protect them
This needs to be applied to dogs too.
People need to be accountable for acts of ignorant cruelty. Raising awareness on social media is ignored so fine people and change the law.
You would not leave a small child shut in a car with no water or air.
You would not allow a small child to be dragged barefoot wearing a buttoned up floor length winter coat on a scorching pavement.
There are laws to protect them
This needs to be applied to dogs too.
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, or leaving a dog in a car, 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
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
| 18 Jul 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 21 Jul 2022 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
12
Status
Rejected
Rejected
21 Jul 2022
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.