Staffordshire Police have launched an investigation after a heated altercation broke out at a B&M store in Lichfield over claims a dog was left inside a sweltering car during last week's red alert heatwave.
The incident, captured on camera, shows a man threatening to punch a woman who said she had retrieved his dog from a van in 34°C heat on Wednesday, June 24. The woman, in her 30s, was left shaken but unhurt, according to police.
Confrontation Caught on Film
In the video, the man can be heard repeatedly shouting “give me my dog” after another shopper accused him of committing a crime. The woman claimed she had “liberated” the dog after finding it inside a van in the heat. The man responded, “I haven't committed any crime. The window was open,” and threatened, “Give me my dog you weirdo before I punch you in the face.”
Staffordshire Police said the owner “reportedly became aggressive and abusive” when confronted about the conditions the animal was left in. Officers were called to the store at around 1pm and reviewed CCTV footage.
Police Appeal for Information
A force spokesperson stated: “We're appealing for information after a woman was verbally abused after taking action to help a dog allegedly left in a hot car. The victim, a woman in her 30s, had spotted the dog in a car on the car park of Imperial Retail Park, Lichfield, at around lunchtime on Wednesday. She took the dog into a nearby store which was air-conditioned, before alerting staff. The owner of the dog then reportedly became aggressive and abusive.”
The spokesperson added: “We spoke to the victim and staff members before reviewing CCTV footage from the store at the time. The woman was left shaken but unhurt. We're keen to speak to anybody who saw what happened or anyone who may have relevant dash-cam footage.”
RSPCA Warning on Hot Cars
The RSPCA advises that even if dogs are left in cars parked in the shade with windows open, the interior temperature can reach up to 47°C within an hour, even when the outside temperature is only 22°C. During the heatwave, temperatures in Lichfield exceeded 30°C, posing a serious risk to animals left unattended.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting log number 455 of June 24.
