A dog trainer who competed at Crufts has been given a suspended prison sentence after three dogs died from heatstroke in his vehicle. Andrew Claridge-Fleming, 57, left four gundogs in a crate in the back of his Land Rover Discovery for six hours on a hot day in August 2023.
The trainer claimed he was unexpectedly called away to run an errand and believed he had left water, the door, and the boot open. When he returned at 4pm, three of the dogs had died from hyperthermia. The fourth dog, Rocky, was rushed to a vet. Two of the deceased dogs, Milo and Bodger, belonged to clients.
Claridge-Fleming pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to animals but denied direct responsibility, stating he was “shocked” to find the boot closed. Bournemouth Crown Court heard he left the dogs around 10am and did not return until 4pm.
Rachael Helier, owner of one of the dogs, said in a victim impact statement that her daughters were “distraught” and that Claridge-Fleming’s lack of remorse had increased their anger. Judge Suzanne Evans KC handed him a 27-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 180 hours of unpaid work and costs.
RSPCA Inspector Patrick Bailey urged the public never to leave a dog in a vehicle, even momentarily, especially in hot weather.
