The RSPCA is calling on visitors to Appleby Horse Fair to leave their dog at home.
The traditional gypsy and traveller event, which normally takes place in June, has been moved into the busier summer holiday period and will run from Thursday until Sunday.
In previous years the annual fair has attracted about 10,000 gypsies and travellers as well as 30,000 visitors to the town.
But due to the 2020 event being cancelled and this year’s fair date moving into peak holiday season, more gypsies and travellers are expected to attend the event – as well as more day-trippers who will be holidaying in the area.
With temperatures expected to reach highs of 19C the animal welfare charity is asking that day-trippers visiting the fair leave their dogs behind – and not in a hot car.
Chief inspector Rob Melloy, who will be leading the RSPCA team at the event, said “We are aware that the crowds gathering at this event are expected to be bigger than ever, especially as last year’s event could not go ahead.
“We are also aware that there will be more holiday makers in Cumbria during the school holidays who will also visit the fair.
“And sadly every year there seems to be at least one dog in a hot car incident, despite warnings about the danger.
“Our message is simple – day-trippers should not bring dogs to the event.
“If we find a dog in a hot car we will take immediate action.
“Dogs left alone in a car on a hot day can quickly become dehydrated, develop heatstroke or even die.
“A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn’t feel that warm. When it’s 22 degrees, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour.”
Officers will also be checking on the welfare of horses and ponies at the fair and the RSPCA will be joined by other equine charities – such as World Horse Welfare, Redwings, Blue Cross and Bransby Horses – as well as a group of vets.
Rob said: “The number of horses being worked to exhaustion is something we’re going to be keeping a close eye on this year and we will be taking horses away if we are concerned about their welfare.
“Working an equine repeatedly over several days, even though it may appear to have recovered, has an accumulative effect.
“We often see different people with the same animal as they are exchanged at the event and they may not be aware of how much work it has done that day or on previous days at the fair.
“Fair-goers can approach our officers – or those from the other horse charities attending – on the ground if they are concerned about an animal at the event, or they can call us on 0300 1234 999.”
