Dog's ordeal sparks alert (From Gazette & Herald)

Dog's ordeal sparks alert

A DISTRESSING incident where a border collie was rescued from being "cooked" alive by North Yorkshire firefighters has prompted warnings to pet owners.

Pickering firefighters made a special service call to free a dog locked in a dark blue Ford Mondeo in the midday sun in the car park of the Black Swan Hotel, Hungate, in the town after being alerted to the suffering animal by a female tourist.

"A lady came running to the station, she was quite distressed, and said there was a dog that had been locked in a car for at least an hour," said leading firefighter Stuart Moss.

"It was obviously an exceptionally hot day and the dog was very distressed because it couldn't find any shade.

"As we approached the car the dog became very agitated and vicious. There were windows wound down about an inch and the sunroof was slightly open. In the strength of the midday sun the heat had built up excessively."

With the help of a brush handle pushed through a gap in the window, a crewman managed to open a door.

Once out of the car, the dog calmed down and was given water.

Mr Moss said that when the dog's owner, a Suffolk man, returned he showed no remorse, and was more concerned about how much the special service call would cost him.

RSPCA spokeswoman Heather Holmes said: "If you leave an animal in a hot car you are cooking it.

"Temperatures can reach up to 49C. Even though the forecast is not for blazing sun, pet owners should be aware that it is still a lot hotter than it was a couple of months ago.

"We reduce our body temperatures by sweating, dogs do it by panting so they become dehydrated. Leave your dog at home with plenty of fresh water."

Miss Holmes said on average there were three convictions a year for dog owners who left their animals in hot cars.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police confirmed that officers had attended the scene and spoken to the dog owner, but had not filed an official complaint with the RSPCA.

Updated: 11:36 Saturday, June 12, 2004