Dogs in hot cars - Car Park Risk Assessment

Activity	Hazard	Control Measures

A dog(s) inside a vehicle within the precincts of a show including its environs, car and caravan parks and approaches.	Death or cause suffering to a dog.	Prominent notices printed in show schedule and on the show entry form (see below for detail).
		Prominent notices placed in Car Park (see below for detail).
		Exhibitors’ cars identified by printing each exhibitor’s ring number(s) on prepaid car park labels. Labels to include a warning notice (see below for detail).
		Arrangements (preferably by RSPCA or Police) made for car park(s) etc to be regularly patrolled whilst these areas are in use to inspect vehicles for dogs left alone.
		Clear written instructions to those patrolling car park on steps to be taken when a dog is found in an apparent distressed condition in a vehicle. Clear escalation procedure. (See below for example)
		Those patrolling car park to have means of effective and speedy communication with show official(s).
		As far as is possible to provide suitable cover outside the show for dogs not entered for competition. Such provision to be monitored.
		To set “not for competition” entry fee to the minimum level or even free to encourage owners to enter their dogs NFC rather than leave them unattended at home or in their vehicles in the show’s car park.
		The Show Society to appoint a responsible person (along with the Vet if on site) to manage reported incidents.
		Regular tannoy announcements during course of show reminding exhibitors/spectators not to leave their dog(s) in their vehicles.
		Show Vet in preparation for show and as far as is possible to provide satisfactory equipment/medication to cope with reported incidents.

New Kennel Club Regulations

F, G, H, I, and J new paragraph 2

L new paragraph 1

Welfare of Dog
An exhibitor (or competitor) whose dog is entered at a Kennel Club licensed event should take all reasonable steps to ensure the needs of their dog(s) are met, and should not put their dog’s health and welfare at risk by any action, default, omission or otherwise. A breach of this Regulation may be referred to the General Committee for disciplinary action under Kennel Club Rules and Regulations.

Entry Form statement
Your dog is vulnerable and AT RISK if left in a vehicle in high temperatures and even on days considered as slightly warm. Please take care of your dog.

If your dog is found to be at risk forcible entry to your vehicle may be necessary without liability for any damage caused.

Show Schedule Notice
Your dog is vulnerable and at risk during hot weather and the Kennel Club offers the following guidance to help guide you through the do’s and don’ts travelling to and whilst at KC licensed events.

When travelling to a show please take a moment to consider whether the route to the show is on a busy holiday route, and leave earlier to avoid increased time in traffic jams.
If your vehicle is not air-conditioned seriously consider whether travelling to the show is a good idea at all.
The vehicle should be as fully ventilated as possible, and plenty of stops should be taken, with lots of water available to drink.
Ensure your dog is not sitting in full sunlight. There should be plenty of free flowing air around the dog.
When at the show, never leave your dog in the vehicle.
Keep the dog in the shade – take your own shade for example a large umbrella and always have plenty of water available to drink so your dog stays well hydrated.
Avoid your dog taking part in unnecessary exertion, or from standing in exposed sunlight for extended lengths of time.

Remember, if you feel hot your dog is very likely to feel much hotter and dehydrated, and this could lead to dire results. Please look after your dog’s welfare.

Warning: if your dog is found to be at risk, forcible entry to your vehicle may be necessary without liabililty for any damage caused.

Anyone whose dog is entered at a Kennel Club licensed event should take all reasonable steps to ensure the needs of their dog(s) are met, and should not put a dog’s health and welfare at risk by any action, default, omission or otherwise. Breach of Kennel Club Regulations in this respect may be referred to the General Committee for disciplinary action under Kennel Club Rules and Regulations.

Right to Refuse Entries. Exhibitors/Competitors are reminded that show societies have the right under Kennel Club Regulation to refuse any entry.

Car Park Pass

Your dog is vulnerable and at risk during hot weather.

Please look after your dog’s welfare.

Warning: if your dog is found to be at risk, forcible entry to your vehicle may be necessary without liabililty for any damage caused.

Car & Caravan Park Notice

Your dog is vulnerable and at risk during hot weather.

Please look after your dog’s welfare.

Warning: if your dog is found to be at risk, forcible entry to your vehicle may be necessary without liability for any damage caused.

Show Management – Escalation procedure

The show society must appoint a responsible person who along with the show Vet (if on site) should manage the proper response to reports of a dog found in a distressed condition in a vehicle.
Once a report has been received from the Car Park marshals, a tannoy announcement must be made giving as much detail of the dog involved, its breed, make and registration number of the vehicle and name of the owner. A time limit should be given before further action is taken.
If time allows a show official should be dispatched to the show ring for the breed to make an announcement and/or benching area (if appropriate).
At the same time as above two actions, the responsible person(s) should attend the vehicle.
If a Police Officer or RSPCA official is on site it is preferable that he/she is in attendance at the vehicle.
If no response has been received from the announcement within the time limit and if in the opinion of the Vet (or responsible person), the condition of the dog allows for a final call being made over the tannoy, then this should be done.
If there is no response and it is believed the dog should be removed from the vehicle for its immediate protection then appropriate action should be taken.
It is recommended that there is more than one witness to this and that video and/or photographic evidence should be taken. (Show Society should purchase a digital camera).
Following removal of the dog, the Vet’s advice must be followed. In the event there is no Vet in attendance the responsible person should take appropriate action to immediately lower the dog’s temperature and when it is considered appropriate the dog should be taken to the show’s vet.
A full report and statements should be made covering the entire incident. The Kennel Club will require such evidence to consider taking actions under its Rules and Regulations so that the dog owner (s) can be asked to account for their actions.

Information for Show Societies

If you cause damage to property without lawful excuse or authority such action may result in criminal or civil liability.

However, if it is brought to the attention of a member of the society that a dog is locked in a vehicle and in the opinion of the responsible person the dog is in great distress or near to death, and in the opinion of the responsible person there is no alternative way to secure the release of the dog without causing damage to the vehicle, the responsible person will have a lawful excuse for causing damage to the vehicle in order to release the dog provided that;

The dog is in immediate need of protection and,
The means of protection taken are reasonable in all the circumstances.

No damage should be caused to a vehicle unless and until all reasonable steps have been taken to release the dog by other means. In all such cases, the escalation procedure must be full deployed and a complete log and report of the action must be made including details of the control/preventative measures taken by the society are in place (i.e. risk assessment). Any damage caused must be the least necessary to secure the release of the dog.

If the responsible person honestly believes that a dog is at risk and that he/she uses reasonable steps to enter the vehicle to access the dog and the above advice and guidance has been followed, this will provide a defence to any allegation of criminal damage [Section 5(2) and (3) Criminal damage Act 1971].

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Categories:: Agility, Exhibiting, Field Trials, Flyball, Heelwork to Music, Obedience, Working Trials

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