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Original poster

Dog left in hot car - should I do something?

52 replies

Washersaurus · 11/06/2007 09:13

Right, nosey neighbour alert!!!!

Neighbours across the street have builders in at the moment. Today he has left his westie dog in his van with the window open a little bit.

It is 9am and is already quite hot and I can see the dog is panting a lot.

What d'you reckon I should do (if anything?)

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lionheart · 11/06/2007 09:16

Could you ask the builders if the owner will be back soon/if they have his number?

kittylette · 11/06/2007 09:17

go out and offer the builder a bowl of water for the dog,

or if yo really are that condcerned ask him if he wants, then you'll mind the dig in the garden whilst he works.

Nbg · 11/06/2007 09:17

I would do something.

If they refuse, stick a hose pipe in the car.

kittylette · 11/06/2007 09:17

mind the dog, not the dig

Whoooosh · 11/06/2007 09:18

Call the RSPCA for advice-if you speak to the builders and then have to call the RSPCA-they will know it is you.

Poor dog.

noddyholder · 11/06/2007 09:19

do something although as long as the window is open he is not in the wrong technically.A bowl of water sounds a good idea

Original poster
Washersaurus · 11/06/2007 09:23

Hmmm, I don't really want to interfere but am just concerned for the dog really as it does get bloody hot inside cars when the weather is like this.

I can't have the dog in our garden unfortunately because of the cats (and our garden is not totally dog-proof)

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Original poster
Washersaurus · 11/06/2007 09:25

RSPCA site says to phone the police

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kittylette · 11/06/2007 09:26

bit drastic

i would offer them some water for the dog first.

Original poster
Washersaurus · 11/06/2007 09:37

I doubt the police would be interested anyway TBH

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gscrym · 11/06/2007 09:42

Go knock the door. The builders might know where the key is so you could put some water in the car for the dog. Or they might be able to give the owner a ring and say it's too hot for the dog.

gscrym · 11/06/2007 09:44

Ahh, it's the builders dog. Go across with a cup of builders tea and ask if he'd like some water for the dog.

edam · 11/06/2007 09:45

Is it the builder's dog? If so, he probably does this a lot, stupidly. Go and talk to him, tell him that cars get VERY hot even if the window is open a crack, and the dog can't stay in there all day.

Rachmumoftwo · 11/06/2007 09:53

You could phone the police if this hasn't been sorted yet. They have the power (sounds like He-man) to smash a window and release the dog.

lionheart · 11/06/2007 10:05

Oh, it's the builder's dog.

Original poster
Washersaurus · 11/06/2007 10:31

Sorry, yes it is the builders dog. He has been sat in the van with the dog for the past 45 minutes so not much I can say really is there? (obviously not much building work going on over there )

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Original poster
Washersaurus · 11/06/2007 10:32

The sun has gone in now and is fairly cloudy so hopefully it will be ok

I'll stop curtain twitching now

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dionnelorraine · 11/06/2007 10:39

You should carry on curtain twitching! And you should also phone the police. It is against the law to leave a dog in a car in hot weather.

It does not take much for a dog to cook and die! yes they literally cook! its an awful stressfull thing for a dog to go through! Working in a vets I have seen similar cases and sometimes they cant be saved as just far too hot!

please please phone the police. you dont have to give your name

Original poster
Washersaurus · 11/06/2007 10:44

..but how hot is too hot IYKWIM?? My weather station says it is currently 18 deg outside and 23 inside the house. It does seem to have cooled down a bit from earlier

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dionnelorraine · 11/06/2007 10:48

can you still see the dog? is it panting?
maybe offer some water first, but it doesnt have to be too hot, it doesnt take much. i get so worried about this as so many people dont realise how dangerous it is!

Original poster
Washersaurus · 11/06/2007 10:51

I don't think it is panting like it was before - it looks like it is having a nap (it is still moving every now and then I might add)

It is only because the van is parked directly opposite my front window that I can see - I haven't been stood behind the curtain being nosey all morning...honest

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Wolfgirl · 11/06/2007 10:58

Hi there Washersaurus, I had exactly the same scenario opposite my house last summer. Builder left dog in front of his truck, left the dog there all day. I was on maternity leave, and had all day to be a nosey neighbour.

The dog was not taken out for exercise - as far as I could see /tell - all day.

The windows were only partially open too. The dog sat on the front seat looking out the window - panting and saliva dripping from its mouth.

By 2 or 3pm I could bear it no longer, and decided to confront the worker. Didnt get to see him till 5pm, but I tell you what! I went mental at him. Told him that if I saw that act of cruelty again the next day, I would call the police. HE told me where to go. But at least Id done something even thought the backlash was not very nice. And as for his dog, I guess he continued to suffer a the hands of this heartless man.

Sorry to hear your dilema. Personally, I would approach the builder and see what he has to say.

All the best. xx

Original poster
Washersaurus · 12/06/2007 14:33

Oh god, I have been out all day and have just come home to find the dog left in the van again - and it is really really hot.

I have been out and offered a bowl of water for the dog to the builder but he told me the dog has just had a cup of tea, so no thanks!

I don't know what else I can do, both windows are wound down half way, but the dog is panting. She is obviously used to being left in there all day.

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dionnelorraine · 12/06/2007 20:34

if that dog is in that van tomorrow and its panting, please phone the police. He has refused water and was rude to you. He has left you no option.

Original poster
Washersaurus · 12/06/2007 21:24

He wasn't rude, he seems like an alright bloke (helped me with my wheely bin this morning). He was actually being deadly serious that the dog loves drinking tea - I do wish he had let me offer the water to the dog though.

The windows on the truck were left open really wide this afternoon, I think if the dog was desperate enough it could have jumped out. I still think it sucks that the poor dog has to stay in there all day every day with no water, but don't think the police will be bothered

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