A few weeks ago, firefighters came to save someone from extreme heat. The rescuee was a dog named Bertie. His owner left him alone inside a vehicle, which was under direct sunlight. Thankfully, someone noticed the dog’s predicament and called for help.
Bertie is a cockapoo from the UK. Several weeks ago, Bertie’s owner went shopping in Saffron Walden, Essex and took him along. However, for some unknown reason, the owner decided to leave the pup inside the car. Worse, the vehicle was parked at the rooftop with all its windows closed.
https://www.facebook.com/SaffronWaldenFireStation/photos/pcb.2422045784707789/2422045731374461/?type=3&theater
Because of the heatwave, the temperature rose to as high as 30°C. Inside a closed vehicle, this can reach up to 54°C in less than an hour. According to Dogs Trust, leaving a pet inside a hot car for 20 minutes can kill it even if its windows are open.
Fortunately, a Waitrose staff contacted the emergency services upon noticing that the dog was left unsupervised inside the car. Reportedly, the owner was shopping in the store. When the rescuers arrived, Bertie was already in distress because of intense heat. So, the firefighters broke the window for them to get Bertie out.
https://www.facebook.com/SaffronWaldenFireStation/photos/pcb.2422045784707789/2422045724707795/?type=3&theater
The Saffron Walden Fire Station posted on their Facebook page about the unfortunate event and reminded everyone about the dangers of leaving pets and children locked inside hot cars. They noted a similar incident that made headlines a week before. In the said case, the rescuers also had to smash the car’s window because an 18-month-old baby was left unsupervised inside a vehicle for over an hour.
Thankfully the rescuers came just on time, and nothing serious happened to them. In the Facebook post, the fire station thanked the Waitrose staff who helped them locate Bertie’s owner and also gave the pup some water to rehydrate. The incident, according to the post, has been reported to the police.
Credit: Saffron Walden Fire Station
