Every single summer we see so many dogs dying or in serious distress as a result of being left in a hot car; as a dog owner myself, with a puggle who can't stand the heat at the best of times, I can't imagine leaving him in a boiling hot car with the temperatures rising, to endure either severe organ damage or death in one of the most slow, painful ways possible. 

But what I didn't realise is that it's not actually illegal to leave a dog in a car over a certain temperature; according to Metro news (and the Sun), leaving a dog in a hot car is only a criminal offence if something actually happens to the dog; this means that it's only once the animal is harmed that this becomes criminal. What's more, if you're a bystander who smashes a window to rescue a dog, you yourself could be liable as you're the one committing a crime! 

I'd like to see it illegal for anyone to leave a dog alone in a car for over half an hour when the outside temperature hits 26degrees or higher; I know it's doesn't completely solve the problem, but I think this would be a start. It would give others the power to act, and protect these beautiful animals.

You wouldn't leave a baby in a boiling car- so why do we let it happen to dogs?