Owner who left dog in hot car attacks police

POLICE called to reports a dog stuck in a hot car with the windows closed faced an alleged assault from the owner when he returned to the vehicle.

The man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting four police officers – including spitting in the face of a female officer – in Plymouth at the weekend.

Police say they were called to the parked car by concerned members of the public who said they had seen the dog panting in the boot of the vehicle as it sat in full sunlight for at least 20 minutes.

Shortly after police arrived, the owner of the vehicle returned to the car. Officers said the 23-year-old man became increasingly abusive towards them and was eventually arrested.

He was alleged to have assaulted four of the officers present, kicking a number of them as well as spitting in the face of the female officer. He was taken to Charles Cross police station custody suite for interview and later released under investigation, pending further inquiries.

Every year, the RSPCA launches its Dogs Die In Hot Cars campaign.

The charity advises dog owners to never leave their dog alone in a car on a warm day and urges the public to dial 999 if they see a dog in distress in a hot car.

The charity says even a car parked in the shade or with the windows partly open can become as hot as an oven in a relatively short time.

“When it’s 22 degrees Celsius outside, the car could reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour,” the RSPCA says. “It’s very dangerous and will cause your dog suffering and harm.

“In an emergency, it is best to dial 999 and report a dog in a hot car to police. The RSPCA may not be able to attend quickly enough and, with no powers of entry, we’d need police assistance at such an incident.”

The charity goes on that, if the police cannot attend quickly, many people’s instinct is to break into the car to free the dog.

But the RSPCA warns: “Please be aware that, without proper justification, this could be classed as criminal damage. Make sure you tell the police of your intentions and take photos or footage of the dog as well as names and numbers of witnesses.

“There is a lawful excuse to commit damage if the owner would consent if they knew the circumstances.”