People have been responding angrily on social media after a small, poodle-type white dog was spotted locked in a car in Bathgate on one of the hottest days of the year where temperatures in West Lothian reached over 20 degrees .
A local woman posted a picture of the dog in the car - with one window rolled slightly down - saying:
"WTF this car in morrisons in bathgate i waited 10 min with this distressed wee dog before putting out a call in the shop bloody owner whats ur problem 'i do it all the time WTF' its 22 degress out side youve just sentenced ur dog to death in an oven why do folk do this wee call to sspca me thinks."
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The Facebook post was shared over 1000 times, with a wide range of comments including one woman who said:
"Thats bl**dy awful, they dont think do they, how would they like to be stuck in a very hot car, unable to get out, let them try, will they survive, certainly not"
The owner reportedly returned to the car and drove off, but not before saying that they 'do it all the time.'
SSPCA advice is to never leave your dog in a car for any length of time on a warm day. Even if you crack the windows, the temperature inside the car can still reach dangerous levels.
The animal welfare charity say that they fielded 'hundreds' of calls about the issue last summer .
They say:
"It only takes a few minutes for a dog to overheat in a hot vehicle and leaving a window open or a bowl of fresh water simply is not enough.
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"Our message is clear: Don’t risk it.
"Even on an overcast, warm day the tempratures inside a car can rise and cause heatstroke and even death to your dog.
"Where possible, we urge you to leave your dog at home.
"If you see a dog in distress please call our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999."
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