Authorities in New South Wales, Australia, are preparing stricter animal welfare laws that could see pet owners face heavy fines or even jail time for leaving dogs inside hot vehicles.
Under the proposed changes, people who leave a dog in a hot car could face penalties of up to AU$44,000 or one year in prison. The move is part of a broader reform of NSW animal cruelty laws, described as one of the biggest updates to the state’s animal protection rules in decades.
The new offence would specifically target situations where a dog is left in a vehicle without proper cooling or ventilation. Reports say the law could apply when a dog is left inside a car for more than 10 minutes in temperatures above 28°C, although NSW officials have said final time and temperature limits will be confirmed when the legislation is introduced.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said there is “no excuse” for leaving a dog in a hot car, warning that the inside of a parked vehicle can become dangerously hot very quickly. She said that on a 30°C day, the inside of a car could reach around 70°C, creating a deadly risk for animals trapped inside.
Animal welfare groups have repeatedly warned that leaving pets in parked cars can become fatal within minutes. Dogs are especially vulnerable to heat because they cannot cool their bodies as easily as humans. Even if windows are slightly open, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly and put the animal at risk of heat stress, organ damage, or death.
The issue has gained attention after reported incidents of dogs being left inside vehicles during warm weather. In one case in Sydney, a dog was allegedly left in a car outside a gym for more than an hour while temperatures reached about 30°C, sparking public outrage online.
The proposed NSW reforms are not limited to hot cars. The wider animal welfare package also includes a ban on prong collars, stronger powers for inspectors, and tougher penalties linked to animal fighting offences. Officials say the goal is to close loopholes, improve enforcement, and bring animal protection laws closer to modern community expectations.
Supporters say the message is simple pets should never be left alone in hot cars, even for a short time. What may feel like a quick stop for an owner can become a life-threatening situation for an animal.
With summer temperatures rising across Australia, authorities are urging pet owners to plan ahead, take their animals with them where possible, or leave them safely at home rather than risk leaving them inside a parked vehicle.