Simon Cowell Delivers Message About Dogs in Hot Cars

Simon Cowell is famous for being hot under the collar – but there’s one thing that makes him reaaaally mad – when dogs die needlessly in hot cars. That’s why Cowell teamed up with Peta to film this public service announcement on the subject.

It only takes 10 minutes for a dog to die in a hot car – and the car doesn’t even need to be that hot. In about a half hour, the inside temperature of a car can easily reach 40 degrees hotter when left sitting. And, since dogs are covered in fur and have few sweat glands, they aren’t capable of regulating their body temperature. Leaving a dog in a parked car can be equated to putting him in an oven – you’re basically baking him.

Less that half of our states have laws surrounding dogs in parked cars. So, if you saw a dog in a parked car, what would you do? Your best bet, to stay within the letter of the law, is to call the police. If the car is parked outside of a store or business, go inside and ask them to find the owner of the vehicle.

Stay with the dog until the matter is resolved so that you can monitor his health. Signs of distress and heat stroke include intense, rapid panting, wide eyes, salivating, staggering and weakness. Advanced heat stroke victims will soon collapse and become unconscious with pale and dry gums.

Many dog lovers will take matters into their own hands, particularly if the dog is showing signs of distress and the owner can’t be located. We’re not suggesting you throw a brick through the car window, but we’d understand completely if you did.