Dogs can die in minutes with soaring summer temps
TODAY'S expected scorcher prompted the RSPCA to once again warn pet owners about the dangers of heat stress.
"If it's 30 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can potentially rise to well over 40 degrees in less than five minutes," RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said.
"We tested a light coloured sedan last year and the temperature rose to 57 degrees in 12 minutes. Any animal left inside would have been dead.
"Animals left in the backyard must also be able to access shelter and water. If a dog is tethered they can become tangled and be unable to reach their water or shelter. We would recommend that there are at least two to three containers of water in case one gets knocked over.
"A dog can survive for a few days without food but, in this weather, if it has no shade or water it will die."
Exercising dogs in the middle of the day can also be dangerous at this time of the year.
