Leaving a dog in a car

[Moominfan]

Little frenchie left in a car every morning while owner goes to the gym. Window is slightly open. Mentioned it to gym staff and response is, it's ok. Today it's quite Sunny I'm sat in my car with window half way open and it's still warm. I'm also able to breath properly. Is there anything that can be done?

[ThunderMum]

Either call RSPCA or wait to talk to owner? If they do it every day then perhaps they’ve got the car set up for it. A fan? Bowl of water?

I don’t know, clutching at straws really, can’t work out why anyone would leave a dog in a car nowadays (when the dangers are well known). Especially a frenchie!!

[bloodywhitecat]

Surely a fan in a hot car would act like a fan in a hot oven? Give the RSPCA a call, they can give you advice.

[Windydaysuponus]

Ring the gym as another concerned citizen. Say someone is trying to break into the car. Maybe the idea the ddog is about to be stolen will stop them leaving it...

[danceswithdeath]

Do people not call the police when this happens so they can break into the car to get the dog out? I'm not sure if that's a thing or not but seen posts previously!

I can't believe people do this. It's a joke.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

Leave a note on the car.
'Your dog is in distress and vulnerable to theft. Please leave it at home'.

Report it to the police too.

[Moominfan]

Thanks for the advice, I'll take some licence plate pics and call rspca.

[PookieDo]

I am just so puzzled what is the point in this? Leave your dog at home in bed while you go to the gym.

Another vote for doing something about it

[spot102]

Maybe the dog likes a trip out in the car. Some do enjoy going out with their owners and don't mind waiting for them. I expect owners get criticized for leaving the dog at home as well.

[Elieza]

If it’s not overly warm the dog will be fine for a short period with a bowl of water and the window open. It’s morning so it can’t be too hot surely? RSPCA will offer advice. Or SSPCA if in Scotland.

[bluetongue]

It’s not ideal, especially for a breed like that.

I will admit to leaving my dog in the car to pop into the supermarket (not a full shop) but only if the weather is cool.

[Moominfan]

It was surprisingly warm. I was sat in my car with one window half open and was warm. I could see them panting. Anywho filled in a form on rspca so hopefully they'll go out.

[pigsDOfly]

As you say OP dogs like frenchies, Brachycephalic dogs, can't breathe properly anyway, leaving the poor little thing in a car, even one that isn't boiling hot, is probably going to cause the dog to be very uncomfortable and overheat even more rapidly than a dog with a proper muzzle.

I very much doubt that the owner of that poor dog would like to have to sit in a warm car for long periods attempting to keep themselves cool while trying to breathe through a straw.

You're doing the right thing reporting this, although not sure how much the RSPCA will do about it.

[Moominfan]

Rspca are fricken awful, I reported my neighbours a few year ago. Took them 4 months to come out and see their flea infested nearly bald cats. Had to threaten them with social media to do anything

[ISmellBabies]

If it's hot, dial 999. If it isn't, stop sticking your nose in.

[BreastedBoobilyToTheStairs]

Maybe the dog likes a trip out in the car. Some do enjoy going out with their owners and don't mind waiting for them. I expect owners get criticized for leaving the dog at home as well

A dog isn't likely to die being left at home for an hour and a half. The same can't be said for a brachycephalic dog being left in a car for an hour and a half with the window barely cracked on a warm day (and no water?).

No reasonable person would criticise someone leaving their dog for a short time (provided the dog is happy being left/no separation anxiety etc). A car is completely different, and a dog enjoying a bit of a drive isn't a good enough reason to justify it.

Reporting was the right thing Op but the RSPCA are renowned for being pretty shit. I think the police are supposed to be better in instances like this.

[Bookworm4]

Call your local Dog Warden, number on council website, get a quicker response than RSPCA