Police Scotland have issued Summer Safety warnings to the public and pet owners as they had to rescue a dog at a South West Scotland beauty spot.
Police had to save a dog which was reported to be in a distressed state in a car at gardens near Castle Douglas over the weekend and although the windows had been left slightly open, it was still to warm inside the vehicle for the animal
‘Summer Safety Warnings’
With the eventual arrival of summer and the warmer weather forecast for this week Police Scotland remind the public about some summer safety matters.
Temptation can be to leave windows open in homes overnight because of warm and humid weather. However this is often a time when opportunist thieves can strike and householders should remain vigilant and close windows when they retire for the evening, particularly on the ground floor of any building.
Again, the hot weather can pose problems for those who take their dogs in their vehicles at this time of year. Consider carefully how hot your vehicle might get when left in the hot weather with windows closed, and the effect that this will have on any pets left in it. Sadly we have had cases of dogs dying in vehicles which have become too hot for them to survive in warm weather. Only this weekend a local man was informed that he will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for a contravention of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in relation to just such a case in the Castle Douglas area. The dog was rescued by police on this occasion.
The warmer weather this week will coincide with the break up of our schools for the summer holidays. Children, and at times adults may be tempted to cool off and go swimming in some of our rivers, lochs or other areas of open water. The dangers of swimming in unknown waters should be carefully explained to children. Often open water is never as warm as you might expect and can conceal underwater currents and other hidden dangers not readily seen when going in. No matter how strong a swimmer you might think you are these dangers are very real and can sadly have tragic consequences. Parents should consider having a conversation with their children on this very matter, carefully explaining the very real dangers of this type of activity.
Community Policing Inspector Stuart Wilson said “whilst we all hail the eventual start of the warmer weather coming along, we have to understand that it does bring with it number of dangers, which, to avoid a potential tragedy, we should carefully consider. We want every one to enjoy the good weather and in taking just a few moments to consider carefully any risks that the heat brings, then we can hopefully all enjoy this spell, however long it lasts.”
