A dog is seen in a photo released by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department after being rescued from a hot car in San Jacinto on July 27, 2020.

NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — Summers in North Dakota can be hot, and dogs are susceptible to heat stroke even in mild temperatures.

According to a press release, dogs should never be left alone in a car during the summer, even on cloudy days – the temperature in the car can become dangerously high.

Although the problem is well known, police still receive numerous reports of dogs being left in hot cars.

A Nordic pet care group, the Musti Group, wants to educate owners and passers-by with a new campaign.

The campaign uses a fully functional robot dog to demonstrate the symptoms of heat stroke and how quickly a car can turn into a death trap.

“When it comes to recognizing dangerous situations,” says Eveliina Rantahalvari, Head of Nordic Marketing at Musti Group, “real-life experience is the best form of education. By creating a tangible, warning example that people can see with their own eyes, we hope to raise awareness of how and when to behave in such situations, both as a dog owner and as a passerby.”

Because dogs cannot regulate their body temperature through sweating, they are at higher risk of heat stroke.

“The temperature in the car rises dangerously faster than many people think,” Rantahalvari continues. “Even leaving the windows open is not enough to ensure that the dog is not at risk.”

If passers-by notice a locked-up dog, the animal may need immediate help.

“If you leave a dog in a hot car,” explains Rantahalvari, “the first thing you should do is try to contact the owner. In a store or mall, for example, you can ask the staff to make an announcement to alert the owner.”

If the owner cannot be found quickly, the rescuer should contact local law enforcement and ask for instructions on how to help the dog.

Symptoms of heat stroke may include severe lethargy, dark redness of the tongue and oral mucosa, convulsions, and tremors. If the dog is not panting or showing signs of restlessness and is lying still, the situation can be very serious.

“In summer, overheating is a danger even outside the car,” says Rantahalvari. “It can be prevented by giving the dog plenty of water, staying in the shade, swimming and giving him things like dog ice cream.”