Concerned Swindon shoppers called police to a town centre car park this afternoon after spotting a dog left locked inside a car as temperatures soared.
The dog was spotted in a Ford Focus estate in the Granville Street car park at around 12:30pm as the temperatures outside reached 26C – which means it could have been as hot as 47C inside.
The parking ticket on the car indicates the owners parked up at 10:47 and had a valid ticket through to 13:47 meaning the dog could have been left in the car for three hours had onlookers not called the police.
It is understood the owners turned up and became verbally aggressive to the waiting police and refused to give their details.
The dog is believed to have been seized and taken to a vet for a check up.
More information as we get it.
What does the law say? Can you legally smash a car window to help a dog?
In an emergency, it is best to dial 999 and report a dog in a hot car to police.
The RSPCA says it may not be able to attend quickly enough and, with no powers of entry, it would need police assistance to get into a car without the owner’s permission.
If the animal is displaying any sign of heatstroke – such as panting heavily, drooling excessively, is lethargic or uncoordinated, or collapsed and vomiting – call 999 immediately.
If the situation becomes critical and police can’t attend, many people’s instinct is to break into the car to free the dog. But 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.
The law states that you have a lawful excuse to commit damage if you believe that the owner of the property that you damage would consent to the damage if they knew the circumstances.
Once removed from the car, move the dog to a shaded/cool area and douse him/her with cool water. Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water.
If the dog is not displaying signs of heatstroke, establish how long the dog has been in the car and make a note of the registration. If you are at a public event or venue ask a member of staff to make an announcement of the situation over the tannoy, if possible, and get someone to stay with the dog to monitor its condition.
You can call the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 for advice but, if a dog is in danger, dialling 999 should always be the first step.
The RSPCA receives the equivalent of one call per hour about dogs trapped in hot cars.
