This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Rejected petition Make it law that dogs cannot be walked in hot weather
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
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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.
This petition was rejected
Why was this petition rejected?
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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
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.