A mum said she was going "to smash the car window" after taking a look inside.
The woman was at the Croft Retail Park in Bromborough on Thursday, June 22 at around 1pm when she noticed a dog inside the parked car. She claimed the German Shepherd-type dog was "panting like crazy" inside.
Venting her frustration on Facebook group Crimewatch Wirral, the woman said seeing the dog appearing to be in distress made her "blood boil".
READ MORE: Kickboxer supplied gun to thug who 'wouldn't stop' until victim was shot
She said: "You're lucky the police came as I would have smashed your window! I've given you some anonymity (that you actually don't deserve) by not showing your full registration. Makes my blood boil, but probably not as much as your poor dog was! You should be ashamed of yourself."
Merseyside Police confirmed the attended the incident, a spokesperson for the force said: "We received a report of an unattended dog in a car in Croft Retail Park in Bromborough yesterday (Thursday, June 22) at around 1pm.
"An officer who was on patrol in the area was able to check that the dog was healthy and well. The owner returned to the vehicle and was given advice."
The temperature in Wirral on Thursday was around 22C. The RSPCA 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".
The animal welfare charity claims when it's 22C outside, the car could reach 47C within an hour and "it's very dangerous and will cause your dog suffering and harm". It can cause a dog to have heatstroke, which can be fatal.
Here is what you should do if you see a dog locked in a hot car, according to the RSCPA:
Assess the dog's condition
The animal welfare charity said to first assess the dog and if they are showing signs of heatstroke. If they are, you should call 999 immediately.
It added if the dog's condition is critical and the police have not arrived yet, people's instinct may be to break into the car to free them, however to aware this could be classed as criminal damage.
The RSPCA said: "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."
After the dog is free
When the dog is free it should be checked for signs of heatstroke or if it is in distress. If they are, immediately follow emergency first aid advice as this could mean the difference between life and death for the dog.
If the dog appears to be OK
If the dog doesn't seem in distress, you can leave them in the car and follow these actions.
- Work out how long the dog has been in the car. A 'pay and display' ticket could help.
- Make a note of the car's registration. If the owner returns but you still feel they'd put the dog in danger, you can tell the police.
- If you're at a shop, venue or event, ask staff to alert the owner over the loudspeaker.
- Make sure you, or someone else, stays with the dog. Monitor their condition. If they get worse be prepared to call 999.
- You can call our cruelty line for advice on 0300 1234 999. But if a dog is in danger, dialling 999 should be your first step.
Join the Liverpool ECHO's breaking news and top headlines WhatsApp community
