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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Another dog in the heat one…

27 replies

ChipsAndKetchups · 10/07/2026 10:51

So any time there is a heatwave I see a lot of posts (here and on SM generally) that people should not walk dogs in this weather, don’t leave them in cars, reports of people leaving dogs outside supermarkets etc - I’m assuming here that the general consensus is you should not subject your dogs to prolonged periods outdoors in the heat.

I work in a central location that has a square and it’s known for street performances. One of these performances (regular - daily) is a man with this big fluffy dog, maybe a German shepherd. I’ve worked in this area for years and they’re there rain or shine.

I’ve been walking past them in this heat and the dog is there from morning until late afternoon, just like he is all year round.

Not sure what my AIBU is here but don’t you think it’s cruel to keep this dog in peak sunshine like this? Is it that it’s more accustomed to being outdoors all day because it’s normal for him/her?

OP posts:
ChipsAndKetchups · 10/07/2026 11:02

GeorgeClooneyshouldhavemarriedme · 10/07/2026 10:58

I see a lot of SM posts screaming rage at people who walk their dogs in anything over 24 degree heat.

I live in a hot country. It's frequently almost 40 degrees, if I stopped walking my dogs at 24 degrees they might never leave the house. We go out early or late hours, look for shade and take water, and they are fine because they are used to this climate.

Maybe this dog is used to all temperatures- or maybe not. Depends on whether you see visible signs of suffering or not I suppose.

To be fair the dog seems fine in the sense that it’s standing up, not panting or anything

OP posts:
GeorgeClooneyshouldhavemarriedme · 10/07/2026 10:58

I see a lot of SM posts screaming rage at people who walk their dogs in anything over 24 degree heat.

I live in a hot country. It's frequently almost 40 degrees, if I stopped walking my dogs at 24 degrees they might never leave the house. We go out early or late hours, look for shade and take water, and they are fine because they are used to this climate.

Maybe this dog is used to all temperatures- or maybe not. Depends on whether you see visible signs of suffering or not I suppose.