Lawyers on whether you legally can smash a window to save dog inside hot car
17.06.2022 - 14:09
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Seeing a dog stuck inside a locked car with the windows up on a searing hot and sunny day can be a distressing situation, and you may be eager to do whatever you can.
You may even be considering going to extreme measures to help the trapped canine out, such as smashing a car window. Believe it or not, this is not as dramatic an action as you may believe.
According to Dogs Trust, if a dog is trapped in a hot vehicle in the sunshine it can be fatal. However, potentially saving that dog's life by smashing a car window could land you in heaps of trouble and the law surrounding this situation is murky at best.
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For example, you could face theft or criminal damage charges, but that doesn't mean there's nothing else you can do to help the pup in distress. First and foremost, you should look for the dog's owner, or call the RSPCA or police.
But if you feel the situation is so urgent that you need to smash the window to save the animal's life, then you do have some level of protection for committing criminal damage. Matthew Reynolds, an associate solicitor at Merseyside-based Kirwans law firm, said: "If the dog is not showing any signs of heatstroke, such as excessive panting, whimpering or barking, then try and find the driver, for example, by asking supermarket staff to make an announcement.
"If you do leave the vehicle then try and get someone to stay with the dog to keep an eye on it and, if you can’t locate the owner, consider calling the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line 0300 1234 999. If the dog is showing signs of heatstroke then you should call 999 immediately. You may choose to take the dog out of an unlocked vehicle if the dog’s situation