Simon Cowell Says, ‘Don’t Leave Your Dog in Your Car’

Simon Cowell’s known for being a harsh judge on TV shows such as Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor. But beneath his tough exterior lies a real softie – the entertainment guru has joined PETA to speak out for animals on a number of occasions. In this straight-talking ad, he has some advice that’s impossible to argue with: never, ever leave a dog inside a hot car.

Each year, thousands of dogs die of heatstroke inside parked cars. Their guardians may not realise that even just a few minutes of being locked inside a hot vehicle can be deadly for pooches. On a 26-degree day, the inside of a parked car can reach 71 degrees in minutes. Leaving a window partially open is not enough to cool the car down for your dog.

And here’s what to do if you ever come across a dog suffering inside a hot car:

• Write down the car’s colour, make and license plate number and try to locate the owner.
• Call the police immediately. Don’t hesitate to dial 999 if the dog is in distress.
• Stay on the scene until the situation has been resolved.
• If you can’t find the owner, the authorities are unresponsive or too slow, or the dog’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness (or two) who will back up your assessment and then take steps to remove the distressed animal from the car.
• Wait for the authorities to arrive.

Our companion animals rely on us to care for them and keep them safe, so don’t let yours down this summer – remember that hot cars are a death trap for dogs.