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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave the dog in the car in this situation?

99 replies

TeaandBiscuits96 · 23/03/2023 07:58

The field where I take the dog for a run is opposite the supermarket. You have to take the dog out and also get 4-5 ingredients from the shop, instead of driving all the way home to just come back on yourself again, would it be okay to leave the dog in the car for a maximum of 10 minutes to run inside the supermarket and grab the 4-5 items?

He is pretty chilled out and would probably have a nap either in the footwell or on the passenger seat whilst I was in there and obviously we don’t have hot or even remotely warm weather at the moment for him to overheat.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Favouritefruits · 23/03/2023 09:07

I did this on a really cool day one February I was literally 2mins when I got back to the car a lady was waiting for me took pictures of my dog and car and proceeded to shout at me for abandoning my dog. I really don’t t think I did anything wrong but it really put me off leaving him in the car alone again.

kittensinthekitchen · 23/03/2023 09:07

TeaandBiscuits96 · 23/03/2023 08:49

@kittensinthekitchen sorry I forgot to add, he is secured on the passenger seat with a special harness that attaches to the seat and goes in the seatbelt bit when we travel! 😊

Glad to hear he is secured 😊

Too many people don't bother. Not only is it a legal requirement, but it's very dangerous otherwise. I had to do an emergency stop the other day as the car in front had its back window open and a wee JRT came out the window at nearly 30mph and rolled right across the opposite lane, right in front of another car. Miracle it wasn't hit.

kittensinthekitchen · 23/03/2023 09:10

PrtScn · 23/03/2023 08:55

Just querying why you think this? Is it because of the handbrake? Because my car, like many new(er) cars has an electronic handbrake.
My dog goes in the boot (estate with dog gate), but my mums terrier gets clipped in at the front. I’ve also seen many dogs in parked cars just sitting in the passenger seat (especially in work vans). Never thought of it as an issue.

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Legally I think they are allowed in the front (secured), but the airbag should be deactivated.
It's much less distracting to be in the back though. Most people wouldn't put their children in the front for safety reasons, but don't even blink at doing it with their dog.

Walterwhiteswifey · 23/03/2023 09:13

Favouritefruits · 23/03/2023 09:07

I did this on a really cool day one February I was literally 2mins when I got back to the car a lady was waiting for me took pictures of my dog and car and proceeded to shout at me for abandoning my dog. I really don’t t think I did anything wrong but it really put me off leaving him in the car alone again.

Snap!

Walterwhiteswifey · 23/03/2023 09:17

echt · 23/03/2023 08:58

It was probably the window being "slightly" down that got people exercised.
I crack the rear window 2" or more each side.

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It was definitely wound down enough for a decent amount of air flow, just not enough for someone to reach their arm in. It certainly put me off doing it again, just not worth the stress of being accused of not looking after my much loved dog x

CollieFIower · 23/03/2023 09:18

I leave my dog in the car all the time. Not when it might get too hot obviously but through the cooler months she's always having a snooze in the back while we get on with shopping etc.

garlicandsapphires · 23/03/2023 09:20

I leave my dog sleeping in the van for a good few hours at a time (after a good walk and when it's cool)

I didn't realise this was frowned upon!

Disneygirl37 · 23/03/2023 09:22

At this time of year I do if I'm just popping in

AIU · 23/03/2023 09:24

I have on occasion when it hasn't been hot, in our local little tescos I can park with the boot close to the wall so it couldn't be opened (as that's what I worry most about - me accidentally pressing the boot open button in my pocket as I have done on several occasions) I think someone would struggle to get a husky up and over the back seats in the time it took me to nip in for some bread! I can't lock the doors or the alarm goes off! I would rather do that than leave her tied outside (although she would def love the attention - but that's what worries me)

echt · 23/03/2023 09:25

Walterwhiteswifey · 23/03/2023 09:17

It was definitely wound down enough for a decent amount of air flow, just not enough for someone to reach their arm in. It certainly put me off doing it again, just not worth the stress of being accused of not looking after my much loved dog x

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I take your point. While someone could put part of their arm through the rear window of my car while my dog was there, they would be ill-advised to try. He would be very unhappy about this and has fearsome dental cutlery.

Not been tested, except the mad barking.

UrsulaPandress · 23/03/2023 09:30

I do this practically every day. Except when it’s hot. Tinted windows so no one can see him. The only issue is the stench in the car when I return, if he’s been bog snorkelling on our walk.

Walterwhiteswifey · 23/03/2023 09:38

echt · 23/03/2023 09:25

I take your point. While someone could put part of their arm through the rear window of my car while my dog was there, they would be ill-advised to try. He would be very unhappy about this and has fearsome dental cutlery.

Not been tested, except the mad barking.

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Dental cutlery 😁 aww what breed is he?

BCfan · 23/03/2023 09:43

Walterwhiteswifey · 23/03/2023 08:51

I left our yorkie in the car at supermarket once, as we were on our way back from a long walk and realised we were passing and needed a few bits.

We left a window wound slightly down for fresh air, his water bowl in the footwell and a blanket in the back in case he got chilly, car left near the entrance of supermarket so lower chance of being stolen, oh and it was in a 10c cloudy day in March! My car reg was summoned over the tannoy inside the supermarket and when I got to customer services they said someone had complained about an unfairly treated dog left to die in a hot car! I pointed out it wasn't hot or sunny and I was in fact in a coat as it was MARCH! And told them to jog on. Some people have nothing better to do.

Leaving water and the window cracked slightly doesn't make a blind bit of difference to a dog overheating in a car FYI.

Obviously the fact it was march (assuming it wasn't a sunny >20 degree day?) means you'd have been fine in this case

Supernova23 · 23/03/2023 09:54

Yes, all year round I do this apart from the summer. Even a full shop. If someone wants to try and steel a large black German Shepherd that isn’t particularly stranger friendly, good luck to them lol.

Walterwhiteswifey · 23/03/2023 09:56

BCfan · 23/03/2023 09:43

Leaving water and the window cracked slightly doesn't make a blind bit of difference to a dog overheating in a car FYI.

Obviously the fact it was march (assuming it wasn't a sunny >20 degree day?) means you'd have been fine in this case

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It was March and as I said it was cool and cloudy at 10c.

Only an idiot would leave their dog in a hot car.

VioletCharlotte · 23/03/2023 10:01

I leave mine in the car regularly when the weathers cool enough. I always leave the back windows open about an inch so he's got some air. He's fine, he's been for a run so just sleeps on the back seat.

Walterwhiteswifey · 23/03/2023 10:03

BCfan · 23/03/2023 09:43

Leaving water and the window cracked slightly doesn't make a blind bit of difference to a dog overheating in a car FYI.

Obviously the fact it was march (assuming it wasn't a sunny >20 degree day?) means you'd have been fine in this case

Show quote history

To be fair thinking about March it actually doesn't gaurantee cool weather. Last year we had really warm weather and I wouldn't have dreamed leaving pup in the car then so take your point.

Surplus2requirements · 23/03/2023 10:20

Of course providing some air flow and water makes a difference.
Not enough when it's very hot but as a blanket statement that's ridiculous

Allmyplantsdie · 23/03/2023 10:54

I only do this at the farm shop or petrol station. My dog loves the car and if I’m at home I leave the door open and he hops in most days for a nap, but I’m scared of the verbal I’d get from a “well meaning” stranger if I did it at a supermarket or somewhere.

we had someone post pictures of a car all over social media asking did anyone know who’s car one parked in the parade of shops was, turns out the owner had parked in a bay walked 80 yards to the post box and back and some muppet was ‘concerned’ it was all explained on the post by someone who had watched the whole thing unfold in less than 5 minutes

daverday · 23/03/2023 11:00

Sorry, you can subtract one vote as I pressed YABU by accident!
Not unreasonable to leave a dog in a car for a short time.

DizzyLizzyKizzy · 23/03/2023 11:12

Perfectly fine!

DizzyLizzyKizzy · 23/03/2023 11:14

Favouritefruits · 23/03/2023 09:07

I did this on a really cool day one February I was literally 2mins when I got back to the car a lady was waiting for me took pictures of my dog and car and proceeded to shout at me for abandoning my dog. I really don’t t think I did anything wrong but it really put me off leaving him in the car alone again.

I would've told her to mind her own fucking business!

Wouldn't put me off at all!

MarchMadness23 · 23/03/2023 11:24

daverday · 23/03/2023 11:00

Sorry, you can subtract one vote as I pressed YABU by accident!
Not unreasonable to leave a dog in a car for a short time.

@daverday

you can simply change your bite if you want to, as many times as you want to 😀

MarchMadness23 · 23/03/2023 11:26

MarchMadness23 · 23/03/2023 11:24

@daverday

you can simply change your bite if you want to, as many times as you want to 😀

Show quote history

@daverday

sadly you can't edit your post as easily!!

NO idea why my phone thought bite was better than VOTE?!?!

Nap1983 · 23/03/2023 11:56

I have absolutely no issue with doing this In appropriate weather. Usually after a long walk where he just sleeps I. His bed in the boot. You also can’t see him due to tinted windows

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