Neighbours dog left in the car in the cold

demented_2

Hi. A neighbour has gone out and left her King Charles Spaniel dog in her car, in this freezing weather. She has left the window open about 3 inches and the dog is in the back seat on a cushion. She has been out for a couple of hours now, from about 15:00 hrs and now its 18:00. The dog is still in the back of the car, what should we do? Report her or have a word with her when she eventuall turns up? We would like to report her, but thought that we would ask you guys first. I know that we should get the dog out of the car, but as its locked, can't really do anything at the moment.

callywally

i would ring rspca for advice. poor littlething will be freezing.

POSSETTE

i have cavaliers and i would never do that to them...does she do it regularly?

i suppose at least they are sheltered,but is there any water or food in there also?

spike7451

I would call the RSPCA,Even tho dogs have thick coat's,King Charles are'nt a big dog so would feel the cold more than a big pup I'm sure.
Any water left for the pup?

demented_2

POSSETTE wrote: »

i have cavaliers and i would never do that to them...does she do it regularly?

i suppose at least they are sheltered,but is there any water or food in there also?

Hi, Yes she does seem to be doing it on a fairly regular basis. She lives in sheltered accomodation and her dog barks quite a lot. The residents have complained to the Association and now she is taking to leave her dog in the car while she goes out or to church, she is quite eccentric, has no friends that we know of. I didn't see any water in the car, but she may have left some for him.

MrsTinks

Please call the RSPCA - it's really not safe or sensible to leave that type of dog in sub-zero temperatures :eek: It's one thing leaving a GSD that is used to being outdoors out for a few hours (with shelter!) but a spaniel is no longer designed as a breed to be an outdoor dog - and I doubt she'll have left water with it to be honest!

spike7451

demented wrote: »

Hi, Yes she does seem to be doing it on a fairly regular basis. She lives in sheltered accomodation and her dog barks quite a lot. The residents have complained to the Association and now she is taking to leave her dog in the car while she goes out or to church, she is quite eccentric, has no friends that we know of. I didn't see any water in the car, but she may have left some for him.

In that case,she should do the right thing & give the pup up to a loving home as you dont know why the pup's barking.

foreign_correspondent

To be honest, I can understand her dielemma - if she is an elderly lady, the dog is probably a very good companion to her when she is in, but sounds like it does not like being left alone, and barks, upsetting the neighbours - hence leaving it in the car...

If it is only for a couple of hours in the afternoon, I dont think the dog would be in any immediate danger normally, but it is very cold today - is it shaking? does it look content? - in this weather, it would probably benefit from a fleece to lie on, and a dog jacket on, and there is no need to leave the window open. There is also a risk the dog could be stolen. Personally, I would be more inclined to pop round and have a chat with her than report it, unless the dog looks like it is really struggling with the cold.

Maybe she could try leaving it in the house with something to keep it occupied like a stuffed kong - but perhaps no one has made any suggestions to her about what to do about the dog not liking being left alone.

minimadtrix

Its like leaving a dog in a hot car - it's not right - contact the RSPCA and the police if necessary - it is cruelty. I know dogs have coats, but you have to remember that if its a dog that is used to central heating it won't have a winter coat.

Alternatively, why not be a good neighbour and offer to look after the dog while she's out?

minimadtrix

This is an animal welfare issue - it's cruelty, albeit on a lower scale to your bear comparison. And yes I would be reporting the matter to the RPSCA as I'm sure many other animal campaigners would

minimadtrix

1. The car isn't warm because the dear old lady has left the window open.

2. A dog living outside in an unheated kennel is used to those temperatures and has a thicker winter coat to cope with this. This dog is used to being inside most of the time.