Protect Dogs from Dangerous Heat: Introduce Fines for Walking Dogs in Temperatures of 25°C or Above

Every summer, as temperatures rise to 25°C or above, I witness people walking their dogs on scorching pavements during the hottest part of the day. Sadly, this is something I see almost every day.

I have just a five-minute drive to work, and every lunchtime I drive home and back to the office. During that short journey, I regularly see more than one dog owner walking their dog around town in the blazing midday sun. Seeing this happen so frequently is heartbreaking because many people may not realise just how dangerous the heat can be for their pets.

Dogs cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively as humans. They cool themselves mainly by panting and through their paw pads, making them far more vulnerable to overheating. On a hot day, pavements can become significantly hotter than the air temperature, reaching temperatures capable of burning a dog's paws within seconds. Walking or exercising a dog in these conditions can also lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which can cause organ failure and, in the worst cases, death.

Every summer, veterinary professionals and animal welfare charities warn of preventable cases of dogs suffering from burned paws and heatstroke simply because they were walked during the hottest part of the day. This suffering is entirely avoidable.

While many owners would never intentionally harm their pets, awareness alone is not enough if these incidents continue year after year. We need stronger action to better protect dogs from unnecessary suffering.

I am calling on the UK Government and local authorities to introduce legislation making it an offence to walk dogs in temperatures of 25°C or above, unless there is a genuine welfare reason for doing so. This should be supported by national public awareness campaigns, clear guidance in public places, and education to help owners understand the risks.

There should also be meaningful enforcement. Owners who knowingly or recklessly walk their dogs in conditions that place their welfare at risk should receive fixed penalty fines. Repeat offences, or cases where a dog suffers injury or heatstroke as a result, should carry stronger penalties under existing animal welfare legislation.

There are simple alternatives that protect dogs while still meeting their exercise needs. Walks can be taken early in the morning or later in the evening when the ground has cooled, dogs can be exercised on grass or shaded routes instead of hot pavements, and owners can provide fresh water and enrichment at home during the hottest hours of the day.

Our dogs rely entirely on us to keep them safe. They cannot tell us when the ground is burning their paws or when they are dangerously overheating. As owners, we have a responsibility to make decisions that protect their welfare.

By signing this petition, you are helping to raise awareness, encourage responsible pet ownership, and support stronger legal protection for dogs during periods of extreme heat. Together, we can help prevent needless suffering and ensure no dog is put at risk simply because it was walked in dangerous temperatures.

Please sign today and help give dogs the protection they deserve.