am I being a busy-body? or was I correct? *dog related*

[itsadogslife3]

I hope its ok to post this here, im just looking for some advice. When is it ok to leave dog in a car, temperature wise? someone I know regularly left their dog in a car and I thought it was too hot but wanted to check as im not sure the guidance around it.

I have horses and am at a very busy livery yard. One person comes up regularly with their dog however she (the dog) never leaves the car. In the colder weather in February the dog seemed happy to be cuddled in the car with blankets, however the weather has become warm recently and in my opinion its too hot for a dog to be in a car but when I raised it I was told to mind my own business and that I was being ridiculous. It was approximately 18 degrees however the car was directly in the sun and the dog is a long haired double coated large dog and she looked miserable- she wasn't barking but I felt it was too hot hence why I mentioned it to her owner. she was in the car for around 1-2 hours. my car was parked beside it and was roasting hot- my water was warm as the sun was directly shining on that area. The air con was not on in her car however the windows were down by about 4 inches. I saw her owner take her water and the dog was frantic to get it when the door was opened. Ive only moved to this yard recently so dont know what this owner usually does with the dog and im hoping it comes out the car in the hotter weather, or just doesn't come to the yard at all. after I mentioned that the dog seemed hot in the car I got a mouthful about staying out of it and that it wasnt hot and I was a busy body, and then the dog came out the car as she was coming out anyway to go for a walk so I was just happy she was out the car, but if it happens again I dont know if im being nosey or if im correct to be concerned

for context, i have a large breed hairy dog (long haired GSD) who I never leave in the car, at all. He's scared of the car anyway and im a completely neurotic dog owner (!) and am paranoid of him being too hot or cold In the car besides I also dont like the idea of leaving him out of sight, so he is never left in the car at all. It means that I dont actually know when its ok and when its not ok to leave dogs in the car as I 100% never leave him so Im not actually familiar with when its ok to leave a dog in a car and when its too hot IYSWIM.

I'm a really shy person and i dont want to cause an argument or confrontation but if I have to do this to raise concerns about the dog I absolutely will as the dog comes first.

so I suppose my AIBU is, in the warm spell of weather we have had recently, is that too warm for that dog to be left in a car? or am I being a neurotic nosey busybody and should keep my nose out (as I was told to), and if not, what would be the next best thing? I dont want to cause drama or upset obviously but I want to do the best thing for the dog

YANBU
According to advice on Battersea.org.uk

“Never leave a dog in a parked car. When it's 21°C outside, the inside of a car can reach 40°C within 30 minutes. Ensure that when travelling with your dog, you can keep them cool, take regular driving breaks to check on the dogs and provide water.”

So 18 degrees must be pretty hot too. It does sound like the owner checks up on the dog but If you think the dog is distressed or in danger, phone 999.

The trouble is you’re essentially accusing her of being neglectful, which will make her feel defensive. I’d leave it. Don’t assume your words had no impact as she’ll hopefully think twice before doing it again. You now know that approaching her directly is not productive, so you’d need to report to the relevant services if this becomes a pattern.

Your more likely to get caught out this time of year than summer as can seem overcast and cool enough as get out car then quickly warms up when sun comes out and she's clearly going to end up distracted with her horse and not just be a few mins. You did the right thing interfering, if it makes her question doing it in future even if just to keep the busybodies happy. I'm sure people that do end up with sick or dead dogs left in their cars didn't think they were doing the wrong thing at the time they walked away.

Are dogs not allowed on the yard so could put in a stable or have a crate set up somewhere to keep secure. Dog sport competitors tend to deck the car out with reflective sheeting to keep shaded and crate or tailgate guard so they can leave boot open for maximum airflow but also look out for each other.

Of course YANBU.

Surprised at the replies so far, I’d have called the police/RSPCA/smashed her window.

She is being neglectful, cruel and stupid if she thinks that dog isn’t suffering.

I really hope it had an impact, IF (and its only an IF because I dont know for sure it was too hot for the dog) but if it was and the dog was suffering then I dont care if she thinks im calling her neglectful because I am, but im worried Im being neurotic and actually the dog is fine and im basically accusing her for no reason IYSWIM. if it was the middle of summer and boiling hot it would be different but its because the weather is that 'in-between' way at the moment but it can get hot, particularly in the south. Hopefully it doesn't happen again and thats the end of it!

You are definitely NOT being unreasonable in worrying about a poor dog in a hot car. I had exactly the same concerns about a dog that had been left in a car outside a shop the other day, in broad sunlight.

I would definitely report if it happens again. Some people are clueless and don't think.

Hopefully that was her initial reaction but she will go away and think about it and make other arrangements moving forward.

We normally leave my dog in the stable when we go for a ride and when on the yard she just hangs out. I could tie her up if no dogs were allowed off a lewd. No way whatsoever I would ever leave her in the car from March through to end of September or even October.

Make a short video recording as evidence if it happens again. Then say to her you will report it if you see it for a third time.

Hopefully your message has reached her even if she was so nasty to you.

This ⬆️. This makes my blood boil! This past weekend, when it was really hot, I saw no less than 4 dogs in parked cars whilst out shopping here and there. Way too hot to take your dog out in the car. When will people learn? Absolute fucking idiots.

I had to leave my dog in a car earlier this week, it was about 15 degrees outside. I opened all the windows a good 6 inches and was still jumpy after a few mins. I was gone less than 5 mins. YADNBU.

I would be very concerned about this also. I had it in my head (may be wrong) that it was 17 degrees that was the cut off limit for leaving dogs in cars.

I was waiting in the car yesterday for my husband with the windows right open for over half an hour and honestly it was really uncomfortable. Poor dog.

It's been 17/18 degrees a here and car in direct sunlight was like a sauna after work. No way would I leave my dog in that for longer than a couple of minutes to pop into the shop or something and to be fair I'd probably only do that if son or DH were in car with her,

I have only read your OP and no updates or PPs, but firstly would like to thank you for your post. You sound so sincere in your concern for the dog and that was great to read even though I am not at all familiar with dogs - I am one of those people who is dog-phobic in fact.

I do not think you are being unreasonable. Although I am not a typical "animal lover" I, like you, am very sensitive to any kind of cruelty inflicted on animals and I would say that this owner is behaving very cruelly. I have no advice about what you should do, but I think something should be done and that sort of behaviour towards the dog should not be tolerated.

This.