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AIBU?

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Original poster

Shopper left dog in car

52 replies

DevilishDiva · 03/06/2022 19:21

I was in my local supermarket earlier and whilst I was walking back to my car, a woman and her daughter got out of their car which was parked next to me and I noticed they left their dog in the car with no windows down. It's a lovely day here - it was reading 18 degrees on my phone but it felt much warmer than that. This car was parked in the direct sunlight.

Anyway, I went back into the shop and reported it to security who said they would put a call out for the owner of the car. They never responded to the call out and they came back to their car 20 minutes later and drove off without checking the dog and the windows were still up!

Anyway, it's just not sitting right with me. I know this probably happens all the time but I'm honestly so angry at this woman.

I took a picture of the car with the dog in view and a picture of when they came back to the car so I had the time stamp.

Would I be unreasonable to report it to the local animal welfare? Part of me thinks there's nothing else that needs to be done but at the same time, it's really annoyed me and I want that woman to think twice before she does that again!

OP posts:
Dinosaur975326788900864322456778899900754543 · 03/06/2022 19:22

RSPCA?

hitrewind · 03/06/2022 19:23

What kind of car was it? Could it have been left with A/C on?

worraliberty · 03/06/2022 19:25

Sadly I doubt animal welfare would/could do anything about that after the event. Plus time stamps can be changed.

Original poster
DevilishDiva · 03/06/2022 19:26

Definitely no air conditioning running. I did look around the car - engine wasn't running at all and she took the keys with her as I saw her manually unlock the car when she returned.

OP posts:
Original poster
DevilishDiva · 03/06/2022 19:27

worraliberty · 03/06/2022 19:25

Sadly I doubt animal welfare would/could do anything about that after the event. Plus time stamps can be changed.

This is what's making me think twice as the incident has now passed. But would they visit her to warn her of the dangers of leaving a dog in a hot car?

OP posts:
Dobbysgotthesocks · 03/06/2022 19:31

DevilishDiva · 03/06/2022 19:26

Definitely no air conditioning running. I did look around the car - engine wasn't running at all and she took the keys with her as I saw her manually unlock the car when she returned.

Some cars do have a pet mode which can be used without the engine on or keys in. My friend has just bought one.

AmberLynn1536 · 03/06/2022 19:33

I would report this to the police and the RSPCA, they probably won’t do anything but if you are lucky they may send a community police officer to speak to them. If I ever see a dog in a car with no windows down on a warm day I would always report it, I could never walk away and leave the poor thing, it’s a hideous thing to do to a dog. Well done for getting the supermarket to do a call out. One caveat just check that it’s not some fancy car that has a/c when not running though I have never heard of this facility.

Dobbysgotthesocks · 03/06/2022 19:34

Sadly there are a lot of idiots about though who just don't think.

That said I left mine in my car for about that time this morning (the windows were down though and parked in shade though) They had just been for a dip in the river and very soggy.

Hellocatshome · 03/06/2022 19:34

I'm 99% certain the RSPCA won't do anything about it. They generally aren't that interested unless there is a change of them getting a conviction which in this case there isnt.

Original poster
DevilishDiva · 03/06/2022 19:39

Sodd it, It was a 2015 Vauxhall corsa so I doubt it had pet mode.

OP posts:
Badger1970 · 03/06/2022 19:41

I hate people who do this. I've gone into our local Tesco so many times to report dogs left in cars with the security on duty.

YarnHoarder · 03/06/2022 19:45

If you see this in future and they don't respond ask them to put another call out. I work in a supermarket and wouldn't find it an issue once you explained and would probably take it to a manager if they didn't respond after 5 or so minutes and multiple call outs. It's not uncommon for cars to be parked in our carpark but for people to cross the road and use the mosque so car call outs can often go unanswered but this could be classed as an emergency.

The police could be useful in the future, especially if the dog is showing signs of distress: www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice/dogsinhotcars

While I don't think I would force entry except in circumstances where I believed the animal to genuinely be in danger it looks as though it could be legal under those circumstances.

balalake · 03/06/2022 20:12

Report to the police and the RSPCA. If only so if it is repeated they know it's not an isolated incident.

I'd have a law that you cannot leave dogs in cars at any time for more than a specified time, and the legal right to break in to rescue a dog. If people thought the car windows could be smashed in and the person not be prosecuted, I expect instances would greatly reduce.

Saddlesore · 03/06/2022 23:57

Before any of you rush to smash someone’s car windows, please check whether the car is electric and therefore whether the A/C might be on. I have an electric car and can control the A/C remotely, but it is very quiet and there is no sound of an engine running.

Whetheryouthinkyoucan · 04/06/2022 00:02

@Saddlesore

agreed. Whilst I understand in this instance it is unlikely there was AC on, it’s a sensible warning for future incidents.

I have an electric vehicle with pet mode, my dashboard does actually say “my owner will be back shortly, the AC is on and it’s X°C” but the car is silent pretty much.

ToppTotty · 04/06/2022 00:59

A dog shouldn't be left alone in a car at any time. Even with AC on—if it breaks down the dog can be cooked to death (as per numerous news reports).

OP it's too late to do anything about this dog now. But next time call the police and they will attend and break into the car, or give you permission to do so.

SmartieRants · 04/06/2022 07:06

ToppTotty · 04/06/2022 00:59

A dog shouldn't be left alone in a car at any time. Even with AC on—if it breaks down the dog can be cooked to death (as per numerous news reports).

OP it's too late to do anything about this dog now. But next time call the police and they will attend and break into the car, or give you permission to do so.

Sorry, whilst I think the owner was completely wrong Levi g the dog in the circumstances that she did, the whataboutery that the AC may break down if the car had the function of leaving it on whilst no one in the car is ridiculous.

To be honest, I wouldn't report to the police, not sure they'll be interested.

Some people shouldn't have dogs.

Saddlesore · 04/06/2022 07:36

ToppTotty · 04/06/2022 00:59

A dog shouldn't be left alone in a car at any time. Even with AC on—if it breaks down the dog can be cooked to death (as per numerous news reports).

OP it's too late to do anything about this dog now. But next time call the police and they will attend and break into the car, or give you permission to do so.

There have indeed been numerous news reports of dogs dying in hot cars, but there have NOT been numerous news reports of them dying because the car’s A/C has broken down.

I fully support anyone who saves a dog from dying in a hot car. However, technology has changed circumstances. Electric cars are able to run the A/C almost imperceptibly so I urge caution and examination before you pick up that crowbar. I fear that just seeing a dog locked in a car on a hot day will make some people feel they have a sanctimonious right to take action before they establish the circumstances correctly. After all, from the dog’s point of view it could be resting in comfort in its familiar and habitual space when it is suddenly alarmed by a stranger (or strangers) using violent force to enter that space.

UrsulaPandress · 04/06/2022 07:41

I leave my dog in the car whilst I pop in to the supermarket. I’d never do it if the weather was hot, but 15 minutes on a cloudy day isn’t going to harm him.

QuebecBagnet · 04/06/2022 07:43

Yes absolutely check before smashing windows. I once stopped a crowd breaking into a car on a 28degree day with the car in full sun. I pointed out the dog wasn’t looking hot or distressed. I thought there must be air conditioning. People argued saying the engine wasn’t on, etc but I’d read about pet modes. Turned out the AC was on!

Jalisco · 04/06/2022 07:47

Dobbysgotthesocks · 03/06/2022 19:31

Some cars do have a pet mode which can be used without the engine on or keys in. My friend has just bought one.

Show quote history

I have one. But few people do. I would prefer someone reported me and I was given the chance to explain that, rather than didn't and risked a dog dying. That said the car displays a sign that tells people that there is a dog mode active and the internal temperature of the car. I'd report and hope someone follows it up - hopefully a warning will prevent them doing it again.

ThinWomansBrain · 04/06/2022 07:58

I have more of an issue with animals left for a long time.
Twenty minutes, and although it was a nice day, it wasn't THAT hot yesterday; probably not too much of an issue.
I needed to use a loo so left my cat in the car in a tesco car park yesterday, probably 10-15 minutes max as I picked up a sandwich while I was in the store, she was fine.
Few strange looks as I let her out of her backpack to wander around the car while I ate the sandwich.

collieresponder88 · 04/06/2022 08:30

Why didn't you say something to her A couple of times I've had to say it's wrong to leave the dog in the car please don't do it again. Weather it made any difference is another thing but they need telling Stupid people

ToppTotty · 04/06/2022 14:21

I would prefer someone reported me and I was given the chance to explain that, rather than didn't and risked a dog dying.

Exactly this. If someone broke into my car out of concern for my dog, I would be thankful to them. Even if it turned out they were mistaken.
Having said that, I wouldn't leave my dog in a car unattended!