Police called to Peterborough retail park on hottest day of year after reports TWO dogs were shut inside car

Worried shoppers called officers after spotting the pets in a car at the Brotherhood Retail Park on Monday afternoon (May 25) – when temperatures soared pas 30C.

Police said the car had left the park before they arrived.

What the law says

The RSPCA said that leaving cars in a car on a warm day was dangerous for dogs – even in temperatures lower than they reached on Monday.

They said: “Many people think it's ok to leave their dog in the car if they're parked in the shade or the windows are open. But a car can become as hot as an oven, even when the weather doesn't feel that warm. When it's 22 degrees Celsius outside, the car could reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour. It's very dangerous and will cause your dog suffering and harm.”

The RSPCA also gave advice on what to do if you see a dog in a hot car.

They said: “First, assess the dog's condition. If they're showing any signs of heatstroke dial 999 at once.

“If the dog's condition is critical, and the police haven't arrived yet, your instinct will be to break into the car to free them. But please be aware that this could be classed as criminal damage. You may need to defend your actions in court, so please be sure you're doing the right thing. Legally, you can commit damage if you believe the car owner would consent to it if they knew the dog was in danger.

“If you're sure you need to free the dog, tell the police what you intend to do and why. Take photos or videos of the dog. Are there any other witnesses? Take their names and telephone numbers.

“Don't be afraid to dial 999. If it's an emergency, we may not be able to get to you - and the dog - quickly enough. And as we have no powers of entry, we'd need to ask the police to help us rescue the dog. Don't worry - the police will soon let us know if the dog needs our help.”