A VET locked herself in a car during the heatwave and filmed herself as the temperature rocketed to a dog-killing 46 degrees (115F) in half an hour.
Zephanie Woodward was forced to bail out of vehicle – warning viewers that any dog left in the same circumstances would likely be dead.
The potentially deadly temperatures inside the mum-of-two’s car were recorded even with one of the windows open very slightly.
The 35-year-old, who works in Bridgend, South Wales, was equipped for the experiment with a thermometer and the stopwatch on her mobile.
The clip shows the car thermometer recording a temperature outside on Wednesday afternoon of 31C.
Zephanie posted the clip to Shepherds Veterinary Hospital’s Facebook page, where she works as a director. She wrote: “In this video I experience what it must be like when a dog is left in a car.
“I couldn’t believe the temperatures that were reached, and came out feeling pretty unwell. Please think about your pets in this heatwave.”
Talking to the camera, she says: “I thought I would come and have a little sit in my car and decide how it must feel for the dogs being left in the car and see how long I can cope with it.”
Zephanie then shows the timer on a phone to the camera, and a temperature gauge – which is already sitting at 31 degrees. (87.8 F)
After seven minutes in the car, Zephanie tells viewers: “I feel like I’ve got a little bit of a sweat on, I’m certainly glad I’m not a dog wearing a fur coat.”
At this point the temperature outside the car is still at 31 degrees (87.8F) but after seven minutes the car’s internal temperature has already jumped to just under 38 degrees. (100F)
Zephanie admits she feels ok at the point, but when the clip jumps forward to 12 minutes of being inside the car – the temperature inside has jumped to 40 degrees. (104F)
She tells viewers: “I am sweating now. If I was a dog I would be panting away, and therefore losing water. I’d be needing a drink.
“It’s approaching the point where I am definitely uncomfortable.”
When Zephanie gets to 21 minutes inside the car she admits that she is “melting” as the temperature jumps up to nearly 44 degrees. (111F)
When Zephanie gets to a full 30-minutes in the car she is visibly red-faced and sweaty.
Zephanie brings her temperature gauge up to the camera and shows that it has reached a staggering 46 degrees (114F).
The vet says: “I have had enough. I’m getting out of here. I’m pretty convinced if I was a dog you would probably come in to find me collapsed at the bottom of your car.
“So please, don’t forget. Dog’s die in hot cars.”
On social media, Hel L Rosser (corr) said: “Well done Zephanie for highlighting the stupidity of leaving a dog locked in a vehicle for any length of time in hot temperatures. Having had the misfortune to have had my dog collapse with heat exhaustion, not by being in a locked car, it is the most horrendous thing to witness.”
Gillian Tatchell added:”You deserve a medal for your effort sitting in your car. Hopefully people will realise how quickly temperature rises. Well done.”
Liz Fielding commented: “Brilliant video, hope people now realise that a boiling hot car will kill.”
While Tracey Picton said simply: “Well done. A point that some idiots still won’t get.”
Speaking today, Zephanie said: “The car was sweltering, the smallest of breeze coming through the crack in the window was my only relief.
“The reason I decided to do it was to raise awareness of how hot a car can get. I was pretty surprised by the temperature that was reached and so quickly.
“I came out covered in sweat and then you realise that dogs can’t sweat and maybe I should have been wearing a fur coat to have a real understanding of how a dog would feel.
“I just jumped in my car parked in it Hospital car park, as if I’d pop to the shop and left the dog whilst I grab a couple of bits.”
Asked if Shepherds Veterinary Hospital had any patients in suffering after being left in a hot car, Zephanie replied: “Luckily this year we haven’t yet. What we see more of is heat stroke after walks in the sun. The video was more of about awareness and prevention.”
On Wednesday, two police officers in Fife had to smash in a car window to rescue a “boiling” dog.
The dog was left in a car in 30 degree heat, and the canine’s owner was charged with causing an animal unnecessary suffering.
