Bystanders in Harrogate had to smash a car window today to free four dogs who were trapped for 40 minutes without even a window open.
Ruth Watson and her partner had been shopping at Aldi on Oak Beck Road at around midday when they spotted the labradors who were visibly distressed and barking in the sweltering heat, which has topped 38 degrees today.
Dogs in hot cars can suffer from potentially fatal heat stroke in as little as 15 minutes.
Ms Watson told the Stray Ferret she went inside B&Q, which is next door to the supermarket, to ask staff to broadcast a message on the tannoy to try and find the owner but there was no response.
A group had congregated around the car with people bringing buckets of water ready to cool them down.
She said:
“It is upsetting. I got a little upset but I was more angry than anything else.”
Quick thinking staff at the DIY store used a hammer to smash open the window and set the animals free.
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Fortunately, there were vets working at the nearby Pets At Home who were able to give the animals immediate medical attention. However, one of the dogs had to be carried away and Ms Watson said it looked in poor health.
The owner eventually came out to the car but Ms Watson said “He seemed oblivious like he’d done nothing wrong.”
She added:
“He’s not a responsible dog owner. Questions should be asked if he’s competent enough to have animals”.
Abi Linden was also shopping at the time and spotted the incident take place. She said what she saw was “appalling” and called on the police to take action against the owner.
She said:
“The sheer stupidity in leaving the dogs in this heat without even windows open. It made me so angry”.
A North Yorkshire Police officer was believed to have attended the scene. The Stray Ferret has asked NYP for comment on the incident. We have also asked the vets for an update on the dogs.
