'It is never safe': Surge in cases of children, pets locked in cars
A recent spike in cases of children and pets getting locked in cars across WA has sparked a new safety warning from the RAC and animal welfare groups, who say the winter months are still a potentially deadly time of year.
New RAC data reveals there were 75 children locked in cars over the winter months in 2017, an increase of 33 per cent on the previous summer.
Over the same period cases of pets locked in cars increased by 69 per cent.
In total there were 399 cases reported last year of kids or pets trapped in cars.
So far this year there have been 217 cases.
On top of this, the latest RAC data shows West Australians are terribly complacent when it comes to their car keys, with an average of 42 people a day locking themselves out of their car.
RAC roadside assistance patrol officer Luke Brown, who attends many such cases, said there was never a safe time to leave a child or pet in a locked car.
“It is never safe to leave kids or pets in cars regardless the time of year and our advice for West Australians is to develop a routine of keeping your keys on you at all times," he said.
“Even in winter car temperatures can vary significantly to the outside temperature, meaning the inside of a car can still become too warm or dangerously cold.
“With spring soon approaching we will be noticing increasing temperatures that can possibly result in death.”
RSPCA WA chief inspector Amanda Swift said the agency had already received more than 70 reports of dogs locked in cars since June 1.
"Regardless of how hot or cold it is it is never OK to leave a dog locked in a vehicle," she said.
"We hear a lot of excuses from people who insist on taking their dogs with them, (the) most common is that their dog has separation anxiety.
"Leaving the dog locked in a car still gives the dog anxiety.
"On top of not being able to cool themselves they can suffer stress from people walking past and other cars moving around outside and their anxiety can be worse inside a locked car than if they were left at home."
In serious cases, pet owners who confine an animal "that is likely to cause harm" can be charged and can face penalties of up to $50,000 or five years jail.
People are encouraged to call the RAC on 13 11 11 or emergency services if they see a child in a locked car.
Members of the public who see a dog locked in a car should take note of the vehicle's registration number and location and report it immediately to the RSPCA Cruelty Hotline: 1300 278 3589.