THAT’S BARKING
DOGS LEFT TO BAKE IN THEME PARK CAR PARK
SEA WORLD has asked customers to leave their pets at home when visiting the theme park after multiple dogs were found tied to cars.
Sea World security staff were alerted to four separate incidents yesterday morning, in which dogs were left tied to the cars while their owners spent the day in the park.
In one incident, a small poodle cross had been left with half a burger and chips and tied to a car for over two hours.
Temperatures reached at least 24.4C at the Gold Coast Seaway yesterday.
When contacted by the Bulletin by phone, the owner hung up.
It was just before midday when a passer-by noticed the animal. Security staff managed to contact the owners after a member of the public alerted the park.
Security said they were told the family couldn’t return to pick up the animal for another half an hour.
“How can anyone do this?” the woman who alerted security told the Bulletin.
“I know it’s not an extremely hot day today but the dog has been left on the hot tar. It’s clearly trying to escape the heat by getting shade from underneath the car. It’s not right.”
The dog was also left with a bowl with dry dog food, a paper container of water and a fleece blanket.
Security said it was the fourth dog left in the car park yesterday.
A Sea World spokesman said it was not something that happened regularly at the theme park.
“We encourage people to leave their pets at home,” he said. “Our team is trained to call the RSPCA or emergency services if they see an animal in distress in our car parks.
“Then, depending on the circumstances and the welfare of the dog, we would call police or the RSPCA.”
A Brisbane family who had spent the day at the theme park had also called the RSPCA over the matter.
“It’s frustrating because even if the owners do turn up they will probably just be told they shouldn’t do it,” one man said.
Another dog reported to security had been left in the back of a ute tray for what was believed to be more than three hours. The owner had driven off before security was able to speak to them.
An RSPCA spokeswoman confirmed they were aware of an animal in the car park and condemned the action as a “stupid thing to do”.
“The animal is not in distress but things can turn very quickly, the sun can move or the animal can knock over the water.
“This was clearly a planned trip for the owner so they could have left it at home or with someone. Things can turn quickly, it is incredibly irresponsible – a stupid thing to do.
“Regardless of its food and water, you wouldn’t leave your child out there tied to the car so why would you do it to your dog?”
The spokeswoman said inspectors could potentially seize the dog if it was found to be in distress in any way.