Sussex Police rescue two dogs from boiling car as temperatures soared to 75F in Brighton seafront
Police rescue beagle and another dog from boiling car as temperatures soared to 75F in Brighton – before owner returns and complains about them smashing her window
- Police smashed back window of a car on Brighton seafront to rescue two dogs
- Owners rushed back to car and confronted police over damage in front of crowd
- Officers said dogs looked instantly relieved with fresh air and water after rescue
- RSPCA says at 72F outside, cars can reach temperatures of 117F within an hour
- Did you see rescue do you know owners? Email katie.feehan@mailonline.co.uk
This is the moment police were forced to smash their way into a car to rescue two dogs who had been left in sweltering heat only for their owner to complain about the damage.
Officers said the beagle and another dog looked instantly relieved when they had fresh air and water after the rescue on Brighton seafront, where temperatures reached 75F (24C) on Saturday.
Video shows one officer using his baton to smash the back window of the black vehicle as the owners rushed back to the scene in horror.
The owners of the vehicle came rushing back to the scene once their car alarm went off and witnesses said they appeared to not understand the dangers of leaving dogs in hot vehicles
The owners returned to the car and asked the officers why they had smashed their windows
This is the moment police officers were forced to smash a car window on Brighton seafront to rescue two dogs who had been left alone inside while temperatures soared to 75F on Saturday
One officer attempted to use his baton before resorting to a glass punch to break the window
One woman can be heard saying ‘you broke my window out’ as the car alarm goes off.
Another officer can be heard responding to the woman, saying: ‘It’s a hot day. You shouldn’t be leaving the dog in the car in this weather.’
A crowd of beach-goers gathered to watch the dramatic rescue unfold on Brighton seafront.
One witness told MailOnline: ‘The police were called by a member of the public who noticed the dog in the car.
‘The police attempted to contact the owner of the vehicle but they failed. This is when they attempted forceful entry to stop the risk to the pups from the heat.
‘First the PC attempted to use his baton but this failed. Then he used a glass punch four times and the window smashed.
The officer smashed the window which had been left slightly open but the car was not in shade
Police officers said the dogs looked instantly relieved once they had fresh air and water
‘Then he used the baton to remove the window. I think the driver had some tint film in the window so it smashed but stayed in the same place.
‘A member of the public then gave the PC some water for the dogs (who never left the car).
‘The owner came back clearly agitated with their window being smashed and because there was a crowd.’
Another witness said the owners appeared unaware of the dangers posed to animals left in hot vehicles.
The witness, who said the dogs were ‘panting solidly’ told the Sun: ‘Where they had parked there is just no shade.
‘At first it was ‘what the f*** are you doing, why did you break my car window? I was only gone for 10 minutes’.
‘The bloke obviously thought he was completely in the right. He didn’t really seem to have much empathy.’
The RSPCA says that, despite the common belief it is OK if windows are open or the car is in shade, dogs should never be left alone in vehicles during hot weather.
The charity says a car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn’t feel that warm.
When it’s 22 degrees, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour and a dog in these conditions could be susceptible to heatstroke.
Launching their Dogs Die In Hot Cars campaign, RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: ‘We know families love their pets and want to keep them close but, sometimes, it may be safer to leave your four-legged friends at home.
‘Dogs can suffer from heatstroke during hot weather and this can be extremely dangerous, and even prove fatal.
‘We’re calling on pet owners to put the welfare of their dogs first this summer. If you’re heading out and about then consider whether your pet may be happier in the cool at home, only walk them during the cooler hours of the day, and never leave your dog in a car unattended on a warm day.’
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘We were called about two dogs left locked inside a car in the heat of the day yesterday on Madeira Drive, Brighton.
‘Police officers attended and tried to get a contact number for the owners of the car but were unable.
‘Officers had no choice but to smash the side window to gain access and a kind member of the public donated a bottle of water.
‘The owners were given strong words of advice on returning to the car a short time later.
‘The dogs, who were much improved after fresh air and water, were left with the owners.
‘Dog owners should never leave a dog alone in a car on a warm day. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, dial 999.’
Did you see the rescue do you know the owners? Email katie.feehan@mailonline.co.uk
