A new Bangor dog park was officially opened near the Seacliff Road during the recent ‘Summer Fun for Cool Canines’ event that was organised by the Dogs Trust charity in conjunction with Ards and North Down Borough Council.

With the hot sunshine beating down, plenty of dogs and their owners were already making use of the enclosed park. The new facility allows dogs to roam freely without fear of escape and owners can relax on benches while keeping an eye on their four-legged friends.

All received a warm welcome from members of the Dogs Trust charity who raised awareness about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars while providing practical tips to keep their four-legged friends cool and safe during warm days.

Even the dogs were supplied with free doggy ice cream, water and enjoyed a pool party!

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Bill Keery, said:

“The new dog park is a fantastic new facility for dog owners in Bangor. It’s perfectly located near the coastal path and will give owners the chance to let their dogs run freely in a safe environment.”

“Officially opening the park alongside the Dogs Trust charity event provided a great opportunity to raise dog owners’ awareness about the dangers that their pets face on hot days.”

Just a few minutes in a hot car can prove fatal for dogs and yet every year animal welfare charities and the police receive thousands of reports of animals being left alone in cars on warm days. The summer is now coming to a close but dog owners should always be wary of leaving their dogs in hot environments.

Laura McAnea, Campaigns Manager at Dogs Trust, said:

“Many people still believe that it's OK to leave a dog in a car on a warm day if the windows are left open or if they're parked in the shade, but the truth is, it's not.”

“A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn't feel that warm and a dog can die in a hot car in 20 minutes. When it's 22 degrees outside, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour."

Dogs Trust and the Council advise that if you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call your local Animal Welfare Officer who will liaise with the PSNI to organise the rescue of the dog. This will help ensure the dogs can be removed from the car as quickly as possible, in a safe and legal manner.

To find out more about caring for dogs in hot weather, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.