Tesla rolls out 'dog mode' to keep your pet cool - but animal charities have ...

Tesla's new 'dog mode' has raised the ire of animal welfare advocates. 

Leading animal charities have expressed 'serious concerns' over Tesla's Dog Mode that's designed to keep pets cool in unattended cars.    

The software update allows owners to leave the air conditioning on in their cars to keep their pets cool.

It was made available on all Tesla models this week, in addition to the launch of 'sentry mode,' which uses the car's camera system to keep an eye on vehicles when the owner steps away.

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Tesla's new 'dog mode' has raised the ire of animal advocates. Leading animal charities have expressed 'serious concerns' over Tesla's Dog Mode that keeps pets cool in unattended cars

Tesla's new 'dog mode' has raised the ire of animal advocates. Leading animal charities have expressed 'serious concerns' over Tesla's Dog Mode that keeps pets cool in unattended cars

In response to the release of dog mode, national animal charities have said they believe that under no circumstances should dogs be left unattended in cars as they could ‘die in minutes’ if the technology failed.

Holly Barber, RSPCA campaign manager, said: 'Technology can fail and it isn’t worth the risk of injury to your pet to put them in this situation. We would advise owners to leave them at home if they know they are going to be away for a longer time.

'The RSPCA receives thousands of calls every year about dogs left in hot cars and our inspectors see first-hand the trauma this can cause.

'Many people think it will be fine just to leave their pets for a minute or two, but we know that this is all it takes for temperatures inside a car to soar to dangerous levels. Our advice is never to leave a dog in a car on a warm day,' she added. 

Tesla announced on Wednesday that Dog Mode would arrive for car owners this week. 

It not only cools the car but also informs passers-by via a message on the infotainment screen that the owner will be returning soon and not to worry.

The mode remains on when occupants leave the vehicle and they receive a notification via Tesla’s mobile app if the car’s charge drops below 20 per cent while Dog Mode is in use.

However, animal charities are not only concerned the technology could fail or be incorrectly set, they also fear that it inadvertently promotes the wrong message to other car owners that leaving a dog in a car is acceptable.

Dog mode not only cools the car but also informs passers-by via a message on the infotainment screen that the owner will be returning soon and not to worry

Dog mode not only cools the car but also informs passers-by via a message on the infotainment screen that the owner will be returning soon and not to worry

Mark Bossley, chief vet at national pet charity Blue Cross, said: 'Blue Cross would have serious concerns that this [Tesla] system could lead to complacency with owners that it is OK to leave their dog alone in a car.

'They could become a target for

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