Stockport’s dog owners are being warned to not leave their pets locked in a car — after police staged a dramatic rescue for a pooch in distress.
A video shared online by Greater Manchester Police’s Stockport division shows the moment officers are forced to break into a car to save a terrified dog.
That was despite the car being left in shade and with windows being wound down slightly.
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However, officers explained that even with these measures in place, the situation remains ‘very dangerous for the dog’.
“Today has been a lovely warm day, hasn't it?,” a police social media post said.
“Many people still believe that it's okay to leave a dog in a car on a warm day if the windows are left open or they're parked in the shade, but the truth is, it's still a very dangerous situation for the dog.
“Today one of our town centre officers had to force entry to a vehicle to rescue a dog that had been left in this condition.
“Please do not leave your animals in vehicles when the weather is like this.”
The accompanying video showed officers smash the back window of a car, with the dog heard to be barking in distress.
The RSPCA says that cars can heat up very quickly — even when it does not feel that warm outside.
“When it's 22 degrees, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour,” the police post said.
Many residents reacting to the post expressed sympathy for the ‘poor dog’, with some calling for ‘heavy fines’ to be levelled at the owners.
“‘I’ll only be a few minutes’ could cost you a new car window, possibly a stolen dog and/ or a massive vet bill,” Pearson Claire commented.
Michelle Louise Scott added: “No matter how much this message is out there, people still do it! Just incredibly dangerous.”
Dawne Dyer simply said the incident was ‘disgraceful’.
