Dog rescued from boiling car by firefighters as temperatures soar in sizzling heatwave
A "DISTRESSED" dog was saved from a roasting hot car yesterday by firefighters as a sizzling heatwave engulfed the country.
The cockapoo, named Bertie, was left in the car with no windows open and in direct sunlight in a multi-storey car park in Saffron Walden, Essex.
Firefighters were forced to smash their way into the car at around midday on Friday when they were unable to locate the animal’s owner.
Essex Fire and Rescue said that the dog had been left alone in the car for more than an hour.
They said Bertie appeared “distressed” and that there was no ventilation in the car with temperatures in Essex on Friday reaching 22C.
A member of the public spotted the dog and called the fire service who said police had been informed of the incident.
The dog’s owner had been shopping at a local Waitrose but did not respond to announcements on the shop’s tannoy system.
The dog was in distress due to the intense heat within a parked car in direct sunlight with no open windows
In the Facebook post Essex Fire and Rescue wrote: "Today we rescued a Cokerpoo [sic] Dog called Bertie from the top deck of Waitrose multi story park car in SW by breaking a window to release him.
"The dog was in distress due to the intense heat within a parked car in direct sunlight with no open windows.
“Please always keep your pet's welfare and safety in mind particularly during this hot spell.
"Thankfully Bertie survived to tell the tale! We thank Waitrose staff for their support with trying to help locate the owner and for providing much needed water for Bertie.”
Is it illegal to leave a dog in a hot car?
According to the RSPCA, Britons could end up with a criminal record if something happens to their dog after it's left alone in a car.
It is not illegal to leave a pet unattended in a vehicle.
But if the animal becomes ill or dies as a result, you could be charged with animal cruelty.
If convicted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, drivers can be jailed for six months and slapped with an unlimited fine.
In May 2017, a motorist was given an 18-week prison sentence suspended for two years, banned from keeping animals for ten years and ordered to pay £1,900 in fines after his three dogs died.
Jonathan Theobald, 66, had left the pets in his car for five hours and said he "misjudged the weather very badly".
What to do when you see a distressed dog trapped in a car
1. Call the police and ask for their assistance
2. If the police can't attend but the dog is in desperate need of help you may consider taking further action
3. Explain to the police what you intend to do
4. Take a photo of the dog trapped in the car
5. Take the name and number of any witnesses
6. If you do forcibly gain access to the car you should be willing to defend your actions in court
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