Peterborough Dog walkers urged not to exercise pets at Ferry Meadows during hottest parts of heatwave
Peterborough dog owners are being urged to not walk their pets at a city park during the hottest parts of the heatwave – to keep their beloved pooches fit and well.
Staff at Ferry Meadows have issued the warning as Peterborough is under an amber heat health warning, with temperatures once again set to rise above 30C this week.
They have also issued advice for human visitors, to help them keep safe and enjoy the parks.
A spokesperson for the Nene Park Trust, which runs Ferry Meadows, said: “It's hotting up again this week!
“Please remember our hot weather safety tips when you're out and about around the Park:
“Stay hydrated - we have water refill points around the Park (at the toilet blocks, at the Visitor Centre, at Lynch Lake Community Hub)
“Stay in the shade - choose shady walks and routes around the Park. Have you discovered Bluebell Wood yet?
“Don't jump in our lakes or the river unless part of supervised watersports activity - we want everyone to stay safe
“Don't bring dogs to the Park in the heat of the day - keep them cool at home
“Only use our fixed BBQ stands or BBQs raised well of the ground - let's keep the Park safe from fire risk together.”
On their website, they said: “Pavements can get very hot! You know the saying, "it's hot enough to fry an egg!" Imagine what that does to your poor dogs' feet! If the ground is too hot to touch with your hand for five seconds, it’s too hot for paws! Also look out for: limping or refusing to walk; licking or chewing at their feet; pads darker in colour; missing part of pad; blisters or redness.”
The RSPCA also said that Brachycephalic (flat-faced, or ‘brachy’) animals are at a greater risk of health problems in hot weather, including being very vulnerable to heatstroke'. If you have a flat-faced dog – such as a pug, French bulldog, shih tzu or boxer – take extra care to keep them cool.