The moment six police officers smash Audi’s rear window to free an overheated dog left in the car by the owner in temperatures of 80F
- Witness describes how a dog was rescued from a buyer’s black Audi
- Officers in Stevenage and were forced to break the window to save the dog
- RSPCA says even if it’s not too hot, sunny weather can see car temperatures soar
Police officers were forced to smack themselves in the rear of an Audi after the driver left a dog in the back of the car despite scorching temperatures.
At least six Hertfordshire police officers were spotted surrounding the black Audi parked in a car park in central Stevenage.
With temperatures exceeding 20 degrees, the dog was rescued around 11.30am after officers smashed a rear window and removed the animal from the boiling hot car.
Pictured: Police officers were forced to batter a dog in the rear of an Audi after the driver left a dog in the car in Stevenage today, despite scorching temperatures
David Stuckey, who lives in Stevenage, told MailOnline that a crowd stood and watched the incident unfold.
He said: “I was just walking back to my car and I could see a large crowd standing in disbelief.
“Someone went shopping and left their dog in the car in the sweltering heat with no open window. Everyone couldn’t believe it.
“It happened around 11:30 a.m. and it was already very warm, but I don’t know how long the dog was in the car.”
It was at least 22C in Stevenage at 11:30am this morning, according to Met Office data.
The RSPCA warns that even with this outside temperature, the inside of a car could reach an “unbearable 47 degrees” within an hour – temperatures that the animal rights group describes as “very dangerous” and which would cause “suffering and harm” to a dog.
Mr Stuckey said he wasn’t sure about the dog’s breed or the condition he was in when police removed him from the car as officers urged the public to keep their distance.
Officers may smash a vehicle window if they believe a dog is in danger.
Police use a tool called a glass stamp before removing the window, usually with their baton to save the animal inside.
The RSPCA says that despite the general belief that it’s okay if the windows are open or the car in the shade, dogs should never be left alone in vehicles in hot weather.
As part of their Dogs Die In Hot Cars campaign, RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr.
“Dogs can suffer from heat stroke in hot weather, which can be extremely dangerous and even fatal.
“We urge pet owners to put the welfare of their dogs first this summer. If you are traveling consider whether your pet will be happier in the cool at home, only take them for walks during the cooler hours of the day and never leave your dog unattended in the car on a warm day.’
According to the PDSA, leaving a dog in a hot car is not per se illegal, but owners are legally responsible for their pet’s health and welfare.
If a dog became ill or sadly died because it was left in a hot car, owners could be charged with animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Hertfordshire Police and the RSPCA have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
