A new educational campaign has been launched today `Dogs Die in Hot Cars,'a imed at raising awareness about the suffering experienced by dogs left in the car, especially in summer.

The campaign launch was made by Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Roderick Galdes.

He said that it is a fact that in high summer temperatures continue to rise at a fast rate in closed car, adding that left in a closed car, a dog is affected by the rise in temperature much more than humans, and in 15 minutes a dog can suffer heatstroke which can be fatal.

During a visit to the Happy Paws Animal Clinic in Marsa, the Parliamentary Secretary said that the campaign was inspired by the fact that the Department of Animal Welfare receives between 15 and 25 similar reports every year. This amount could be higher, if other cases are included which are not reported to the department.

The campaign will inform the public on how to identify heat stress in a dog, how to act and how to prevent similar case in the future. During the campaign, the Department will be issuing stickers, detailed leaflets and other material to advise calling 1717 if members of the public sees a dog in distress in a closed car.

The message will also be delivered through campaigns with summer school students, in collaboration with the Commissioner for Animal Welfare.

Photograph: DOI/Jason Borg

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