Dog left in hot car - should I do something?

[Washersaurus]

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?)

please tell the builder this is not fair on the dog tommorrow.
My dog is black and really struggles in this heat, she can not cool down, and just lies in the shade panting. I would never leave her in a car, esp in this weather.

dont say the police wont be interested- they will!
in a garden centre car park local to us last summer, a couple left 2 burmese mountain dogs in a car whilst they perused the garden centre.
someone called the police and they came down and smashed the window to get the dogs out.
one was already dead and the other was suffering serious heat stroke and was at the vets for 2 weeks till he was better.

the dog that died died in 4 HOURS.

the owners later said:

'we dont understand why it happened. the windows were cracked open and he had had a drink 3 hours previously'

I'm feeling rather emotional now because I have a Bernese Mountain Dog and they are such lovely and loving dogs

Excuse me - just popping downstair to rub her nose

That is true LOTF. I work in a vets and I see a few cases every summer. Its so sad. All us nurses where outside with a big black cross breed last year in the outside shower, using cold wet towels and trying everything to save her life. She died that evening. It was so sad. She was in so much distress, she couldnt walk.

Irresponsible owners really piss me off! They just dont realise how little it takes for a dog to literally cook in a car!

sorry HMC!

They are the ones with lots of fur aren't they? to keep them warm whilst mountaineering?

Yes, same size as st bernards (beethovan) but a lot hairier!!

Beautiful animals!!

Just back after cannine smooch - yes Ladyof, they are very hirsuite. In this weather for instance, she can only be walked before 10.00 am or after 18.00

Yes they are beautiful - please permit me a small boast. She won 2nd prize in the waggiest tale competition at the village fete on Saturday!

my 2 black labs get terribly hot and they moult all year bloody round!
it is kinder to leave the dog at home i say. yes, it may be bored, but at least it wont keel over of heat exhaustion!

Sorry for hijack.

Washersauras - well done you for being so caring and conscientious about that dog

(I love labs too - such effervescent and friendly dogs)

LOTF - my black lab only sheds twice a year.

eh?!!
how do you manage that?!

I thought that was normal

I don't really know what else to do now though..when I offered the bowl of water and he rejected it, I said "it is just that she looks rather hot and is panting", he said "well it is a hot day and it gets warm in there".

I really don't think he realises how dangerous it is. I was considering posting though the window some info on how dogs can die in hot cars in as little as 20 mins.

I think it is due to cool down considerably for the rest of the week anyway.

'it gets warm in there'

what a cock!

I appreicate that I am gobby cow

But If it where me, I would just tell him its bloody cruel, and perhaps he could tie dog outside in the shade instead? Failing that I would call the non emergency police number for your local force

What I don't understand is - loads of people walk past the van every day and noone else has done or said anything.

Shamefully I didn't want to cause a scene in the middle of street with the neighbours' builders. I don't know the neighbours concerned so don't even feel like I can mention it to them.

I don't know what to suggest Washer, I really don't...But you've said he is a decent sort. How about levelling with him:

"Look I know you love your dog, but it is so hot. Do you not think (s)he would be better off at home in this weather?" - accompanied by winning smile

Tis clearly bugging you. Go with your instincts. Speak out!

I would say, theres is nothing more you can do apart from phone the police!!!

That's so sad about those Bernese and the cross-breed that died due to heat

Do something about that Westie. Incognito call to old bill, pass the buck, at least you've done something. The builder will probably know it's you, but he can't prove it, you could say that probably someone else has noticed and called them.

can you not tell this guy an apophrycal (spelling) tale (or tail!) about a friends dog that died in a car. He clearly loves his dog, else he wouldnt be taking him to work with him but it is actually illeagal to leave a dog in a car, windows open or not, you could drop that into the conversation.

Dh wanted a little dog to take with him to work like that. He's a builder and he fancied a jack russel or something of that kind. Kids would have loved it too. But he soon came to realise that times have changed in that there are very few sites these days where dogs are allowed - so the poor tike would have been stuck in his van all day and then someone (for someone read me!)would have to walk it at night.

I think that as long as it's cooling down and it has water to drink it will be OK.

Good Idea lucyellensmum!

Hows is the dog today Washersauras?