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Open petition: Make it illegal to walk dogs during extreme heat to prevent suffering and death.

Created by Sarah Jane Derbyshire
Closes on

Introduce legislation to make it an offence to walk or exercise dogs during dangerously high temperatures (i.e. 25°C and above), to protect them from heatstroke and burned paws.

Every year in the UK, dogs suffer and die from preventable heat-related illnesses. Many owners are unaware that dogs cannot regulate their body temperature effectively and can overheat within minutes.

Hot pavements can also cause severe burns to dogs’ paws. When air temperatures reach 25°C, pavement temperatures can be significantly higher and dangerous.

Animal welfare organisations warn against walking dogs in hot weather.

We believe this legislation would help prevent unnecessary suffering, raise awareness, and hold owners accountable for avoidable harm.

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3,845 signatures


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  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 24 October 2026.