Is this animal cruelty?

[sandraybsn]

Someone has left their dog sat in their car in the work car park. It’s been in there at least 6 hours … feel so sorry for it.

6 hours? Yes of course that's animal cruelty. Report to the police

I don’t think you really need mumsnet to tell
you that this is animal cruelty, it’s pretty obvious. Is the window open? Is it hot where you are? Report to your boss in any case so they can deal with this on a longer term basis, but obviously if the window isn’t open you need to take more immediate action.

If it’s still there maybe contact non emergency police number and report it?

https://www.rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-care/responsible-pet-ownership/why-you-should-never-leave-dog-in-car#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20safe%20period,shade%2C%20fresh%20water%20and%20shelter.

Please call the police.

6 hours?!!

What's the weather there? It's sunny here so that would be absolutely horrendous to be in for 6 hours - can you get the dog out? Can you get the owner to go and get them out?

You can break a window legally if you feel the ddog is in danger... Check with the police. Or check if a door is open..

Is it still alive? It will be very hot in that car.

It’s not hot here today. It’s very much alive and alert.

I’m asking as I don’t know whether the owner has walked it on the lunch break, whether it’s had food or a drink. I just saw the dog this morning and as I left.

Just for reference if the dog was in distress or it was hot then no I wouldn’t bother with MN.

So it has the windows open then?

If this is definitely someone in your workplace go in with reg number and get them found asap.

This exactly

If the weather isn't too hot maybe there is a reason for it? Dogs who have separation anxiety and are destructive at home can often cope better in a car.

Not saying this is what it is mind, just another option.

It’s cold where I am today so unless it’s hot I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily cruelty. It might have had a long walk before & is now sleeping in the car, the owner might keep going checking on it & it might have had a wee/drink at lunch maybe? If it’s warm near you then it’s def cruel.

Oh the poor wee thing - even if it isn't too hot it will be frightened, thirsty and unhappy.

I mean you wouldn't want to be locked in a car for 6 hours with no idea when you were going to let you would you?

My friend’s dog hated being left at home but was perfectly happy resting in the car until she came back.
I’d argue it would be far crueller to leave the same dog at home, distressed.

Humans would be bored sitting for 6 hours in a car. Dogs need much more sleep.

If the dog has interaction and stimulation either side of these times and the car is a good temperature, it’s fine.

I had to take my dog to work once as I was having work done at home & my dog would’ve been seriously distressed. I checked on him frequently & he just slept as I gave him a long walk before, left windows open a bit & it was a cool day. Could it be something like this?

Do you know that the owner isn't in and out checking on it? My uncles dog would hang out in the car all day once he sees him go into a building and he constantly checks on him cos his dog gets distressed being home alone. Definitely track down the owner though, they could have forgotten about the dog and be very grateful

Maybe it is happy playing eye spy.

What type of car? Some have air con that stays on for ddogs.

Think I would check with the owner
One of my colleagues brings her dog to work on nights. Dog has the seats all down flat, food and water. We all know dog is there and he's checked every 15 mins because of how our breaks work
He's let out regularly by owner and us for walks/fuss etc. if he's asleep we leave him or if he is awake and wanting it then we often go and sit with him or bring him out for a cuddle