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Canberra pet owners are being warned not to leave their dog or cat unattended in their car, as the RSPCA recorded its busiest year for animal rescues from hot vehicles in 2018. RSPCA ACT inspectors rescued 46 animals trapped in cars in the past year, almost twice as many as the year before. December had the highest number of rescues in a month in the organisation's history, as 12 pets were pulled from cars. New draft laws proposed by the ACT government would fine or even imprison those who abandon pets in a vehicle. Pet owners found guilty would be fined up to $3000, or in more serious cases, be jailed for up to one year. RSPCA ACT chief executive Michelle Robertson said while inspectors had responded to a record number of call outs, countless more incidents aren't reported. "We want to caution the community to avoid heartbreak by potentially losing a beloved pet from heatstroke," Ms Robertson said. "Even a short walk in the heat of the day can be fatal and it only takes six minutes for an animal to die in a hot car." One dog was rescued recently by a RSPCA inspector after being locked in a car for more than two hours while its owners were inside a nearby building. The dog was treated for heat sickness and given fluids before it was taken to an overnight vet for observations. As heatwave conditions continue to grip Canberra and much of Australia, Ms Robertson said pet owners should be vigilant. "Our pets can't always adequately cool themselves during such intense heat," she said. "It's up to us as responsible pet owners to do everything we can to protect them." City Services minister Chris Steel said proposed animal welfare laws, currently under community consultation, would serve as a powerful deterrent for pet owners. Currently, there is no offence in the ACT for pet owners who leave their pet unattended in a car. "We have heard from the community that it is totally unacceptable for animals to be left in vehicles in distress or at risk of injury," Mr Steel said. "These proposed laws send a clear message that a car is no place for an animal to be left unattended, especially in hot weather." Under the new laws, bystanders would be able to break into a car to save a distressed animal. The RSPCA warned that pets can still suffer heat stress, even if they aren't trapped in a car. Ms Robertson said certain breeds are more susceptible to heat than others, such as bulldogs and pugs. She said dogs bred to have flat faces were most at risk. "What happens with these dogs that have exaggerated features is that they have smaller nostrils and a narrow windpipe, and it can be difficult for them to get oxygen," Ms Robertson said. "Other dogs can be more susceptible to heatstroke if they're very old or very young or have pre-existing health conditions." If an animal is trapped in a locked car and is panting heavily, drooling or unconscious and the owners are not able to be contacted, the RSPCA said to call triple zero immediately. Once the animal has been removed from the car, the RSPCA recommends moving the animal to a shaded area, placing a wet towel on its belly or groin, allow the animal to drink small amounts of cold water and take it to a nearby vet.

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