Dogs locked in cars

In the past 12 months National Roads & Motorists’ Association (NRMA) patrols across NSW and the ACT have rescued almost 2,500 young children accidentally locked in cars, a 16 per cent increase over the last four years.

There has also been an 88 per cent increase of pets’ accidently locked in cars over the same period with more than 1,500 rescues in the past 12 months.

We know how dangerous it can be for dogs trapped in hot cars. A dog trapped in a hot car can die in as little as 6 minutes! Read more.

Do you know what to do if you spot a dog trapped in a hot car? Read more…

An NRMA survey of 1,130 Members revealed 40 per cent have locked their keys in their car. Last year, more than 104,000 calls to the NRMA were for keys locked in cars. NRMA Senior Policy Adviser, Road Safety Dimitra Vlahomitros said the NRMA call centre received an average of 12 anxious calls every day from Members and non- members. In many cases the keys have been locked in the boot or the keys have been given to a young child in their car seat as a ‘distraction toy’.

Well, I guess most of us pet owners don’t give the keys to our dogs for distraction (otherwise they might end up as swallowed keys!!). But it is kind of easy to slam the door shut, leaving your precious pooch in there. I know Chilli dog travels so quietly in my car that I sometimes forget she is there. She always lets me know when we arrive somewhere though, as she is keen to get out and walk!

So, what can you do to keep your dog safely out of your car? Some of these tips from the NRMA may help:

Leave the driver door ajar or window down when packing the boot or moving away from the car
Try and place keys in a clothes pocket
Focus on where you put your keys, particularly when taking a phone call, loading the boot or placing a child in a car seat (or securing your dog in their safety harness)
Don’t rush because another driver is waiting for the parking space.

I suggest doing a head count. Know how many bodies go into your car and make sure all of them come out!

Have you ever locked your pet in your car?

Check out NRMA’s PetPlus for added security when travelling with your pet.

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