Trapped Woman’s fury as dog left inside car at store in blazing heat
AWOMAN who saw a dog trapped in a vehicle in a supermarket car park in extremely hot weather has hit out at its owner, saying they should not be allowed to have pets.
The animal was said to have been in a 4x4 for at least half an hour and was panting, pacing and stressed due to the weather.
When Claire Hilton-wiggett, 40, from Cheltenham, arrived at the supermarket she saw a crowd of people around the car. Intrigued by the commotion, she asked what was happening.
She was shocked to be told a longhaired, large dog had been left in the vehicle for at least half an hour and the animal seemed to be struggling in the heat.
Messages had been put out on the store tannoy, but the owner had not come forward. The police were eventually called.
Claire said: “I saw a group of people stood around a car in the car park and I asked what was happening. People said a poor dog was stuck in the car.
“I am a passionate dog owner and lost mine in lockdown. You cannot leave a dog in a car like that in a heatwave. I got my phone and was trying to break the window, but I did not want to break the glass and potentially hurt the dog. A man found the window was down a centimetre and he was able to get the glass down far enough, thankfully, to get the door open from the inside.”
Although a blanket had been positioned on the back of the windscreen and two windows had been left slightly open, the dog was said to have been displaying signs of stress.
Claire said: “The dog was like a white retriever or Labrador. People tried to get hold of the owner and he was called several times over the tannoy at the supermarket, but he seemed in no hurry.
“When we got the dog out, one lady went and got a lead, while another went and got a water bowl from her car.
“Others around the car had been there for about half an hour. Then the police were called and they arrived about half an hour later.”
Claire said she had a few choice words to say to the owner, who eventually came out of the shop with a trolley load of water and watermelons.
Claire said: “We just knew we had to get the dog out of the car. If the animal had stayed in the car they could have suffered from heat stroke or had a seizure.
“The guy who owns the dog came out the shop eventually with a trolley load of water and watermelons. The police were there at this point.
“The police told him he could not leave a dog in a car. I went mental at him. I told the man exactly what I thought of him and left before I got in trouble with the police.
“People like that should not be allowed to have pets.”
The RSPCA have said the public should call police for help if they suspect a dog is in danger.
A spokeswoman said: “When reporting dogs being left in hot cars we always urge people to dial 999 straight away and ask for the police as they can often attend much more quickly in an emergency than ourselves as a charity. Police also have the power to enter a vehicle to remove an animal from danger.
“There is more information on advice on what people should do if they have concerns about a dog in a hot vehicle on our website at www.rspca. org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/ health/dogsinhotcars.
“People can be prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for causing unnecessary suffering as a result of leaving a dog in a vehicle. Sadly, we have seen animals lose their lives as a result, too.
“In terms of how long a dog can be left in a car, our message is always any time left in a vehicle in the heat is too long and poses a risk to welfare. Breed, age and health conditions could see certain dogs at greater risk from a short amount of time. It’s just never worth the risk.”
Police at the scene reminded the owner not leave his dog in the car on a hot day.
A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: “Officers were called to a report that a dog had been left in a car at a car park in Cheltenham.
“The caller was concerned that the car was hot. The dog was freed and did not appear to be harmed. Words of advice were given to the owner.
“Please remember in hot weather to leave your dog at home, with plenty of water, as dogs die in hot cars. If you see a dog in a car on a hot day, contact police on 101.”