A hunt has been launched to track down a sun bather who was caught on camera allegedly ‘flinging’ her dog by its lead when it tried to hide from the sun on the beach.
Charlene Keightley, 30, said she was enjoying a day out at the beach in Branksome Chine, Bournemouth, on Friday when she overheard a woman shouting at her pet.
It was then that she claims she spotted a small Jack Russell-type dog ‘visibly suffering’ in the 29 degree heat – and trying to seek protection by hiding in the shadow of its owner.
Dog owners are being urged not to leave their pets tied up outside after a pet accidentally hung itself in London.
RSPCA officials were called to a property in North London on Sunday morning due to concerns for the welfare of a dog.
However when welfare officer Nicola Thomas arrived, she was met by a devastated owner who had found their pet dead in the garden.
The charity – the largest and oldest animal welfare organisation in the country – has issued a warning to people never to tether their dogs and leave them unsupervised. (Picture: Getty)
A pensioner was left horrified after he turned up at his allotment to find his 10 pet hens, six ducks and a cockerel had been killed in a ‘senseless attack’.
The RSPCA and police were called to Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, after the 72-year-old, who kept the birds as pets near his home, came across the scene when he went to feed them.
The elderly man said he was devastated when he saw that his birds had been killed and their bodies had been strewn around the ground at the allotment.
This shocking footage shows a 25-year-old laughing menacingly as he throws three cats in the air.
Sick Haider Abed, from Birmingham, has been banned from keeping animals for life after posting sick videos of him cruelly abusing the animals on Facebook.
Abed pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the cats, contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act, and was convicted by Birmingham Magistrates Court, on Friday.
Several horses have been found living in squalid and filthy conditions in a barn without any food and water.
Shocking footage filmed by an animal-lover uncovered the horrific state the horses had been kept in for what is believed to be several weeks.
Heartbreaking images show the badly emaciated animals at the stables in Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, before they were rescued on Saturday.
The horses were found living in squalid and filthy conditions in a barn without any food and water (Picture: SWNS)
A local farmer stumbled across the distressing scene and contacted local stable users who rushed to provide water and food.
Horse owner Jade Murphy, 28, filmed the shocking footage on her mobile phone – which included the carcass of one horse – before contacting the RSPCA.
The mum-of-three, from Bromsgrove, said: ‘The horses were skin and bone and they were knee-high deep in their own faeces. It was heart-breaking.
‘They had rugs on despite the heat and there was no food or water.
Shocking mobile phone footage filmed by an animal-lover showed the horrific state the horses had been kept in for what is believed to be several weeks (Picture: SWNS.com)
‘One of them was lying dead on the floor and there were three more locked in the same stable with it. They must have been traumatised.
‘There was a mare and foal in another stable and the foal was emaciated. It was walking on its heels because its feet were deformed.
‘It’s such a horrific start in life. They were all very dehydrated. I don’t know how anybody could leave animals in that way.
‘It is cruel beyond belief. There were 17 horses in total as there were others in the field nearby which was also filthy.
A local farmer stumbled across the distressing scene and contacted local stable users who rushed to provide water and food (Picture: SWNS)
The RSPCA confirmed that some of the horses had previously been rescued, and were understood to be undergoing veterinary treatment (Picture: SWNS)
‘I’ve been told six of them have been put down while ten others have been taken away to Wales. Its such a sad story.’
The RSPCA confirmed that some of the horses had previously been rescued, and were understood to be undergoing veterinary treatment.
A spokesman said: ‘We responded to reports about these horses within hours of being called about them and took a vet to the scene.
‘These horses had previously been rescued with various health issues and we understand they were under veterinary care with the hope they would recover.
‘The horses are currently being looked after by the RSPCA after they were voluntarily signed over into our care. Some of these horses were in good condition.’
Some of the horses were so starved, their bones could be seen (Picture: SWNS.com)
An investigation into horses’ conditions is ongoing (Picture: SWNS.com)
They have since added: ‘There are a few misunderstandings circulating we’d like to address. This premises is not an RSPCA boarding establishment and the horses in the photos and video were not previously rescued by the RSPCA.
‘Claims the RSPCA has put to sleep seven horses are also not true.
‘We would like to thank members of the public who have raised concerns about these horses and those who have offered to help with their care.
‘We cannot go into any further detail at this time as our work is ongoing.’
Someone pushed nails into a doughnut and left it for animals to eat.
The RSPCA has condemned the ‘irresponsible’ behaviour, after seagulls swooped on the trap.
Three sharp screws were inserted into the sugary snack, found on a holiday resort in Newquay, Cornwall.
Several gulls were fighting over it and one picked it up, before luckily dropping it before it was harmed.
Local resident Tasha Bowler said her mother then stepped in to grab it before it could injure any of the birds.
Sharing an image of the trap on Facebook, Tasha wrote: ‘My mum found seagulls fighting over this doughnut full of screws and quickly got it as one of them dropped it, luckily.
A hunt has been launched for the suspect (Picture: SWNS)
‘Please keep an eye out. I know a lot of people don’t like seagulls but it doesn’t mean they have the right to harm them.
‘Not to mention a dog could have also picked it up and eaten it. Such a horrible thing to do.’
A spokesman for the RSPCA said: ‘Unfortunately many see gulls as pests but all it takes is a little care and understanding to minimise any inconvenience caused by these birds.
‘Every year we receive calls about gulls which have been persecuted and the victim of abusive attacks.
‘Many have stones thrown at them, others left homeless after their nests are illegally destroyed and large numbers are the target of people taking pot shots at them with airguns.
‘Herring gulls in particular are a species of conservation concern in the UK and evidence indicates that overall herring gull populations are actually in decline.
‘The RSPCA believes that deterrents and non-lethal methods of control are the best way to reduce gull related problems.
‘Not feeding the gulls and disposing of rubbish properly, and blocking off areas where gulls normally nest outside of the breeding season will help to reduce the problems.’
Shocking images captured the moment a severely distressed dog was discovered trapped in a hot car – where he had been locked for at least two hours.
The disturbing pictures show the poor animal collapsed on the ground after being freed from the car as temperatures reached 29 degrees outside yesterday.
A parking ticket on the car led those who discovered the dog to believe that it had been there for at least two hours.
The disturbing pictures show the poor animal collapsed on the ground after being freed from the car as temperatures reached 29 degrees outside yesterday. (Picture: Deadline News)
According to witnesses, when the the owners did turn up they reportedly gave false information to the police and didn’t see what the issue was.
Temperatures inside a locked car can soar to almost double in a matter of hours, and can be lethal to dogs.
Samantha Claire Hardwidge stumbled upon the boiling husky in Swindon, Wiltshire, with a fellow colleague and shared the pictures online.
She said: ‘Shout out to the owners of this car who felt it appropriate to leave their husky in their car.
‘The parking ticket shows them arriving at 10.47am. The dog was found by me and my colleague in a poor state at 12.35pm – with the parking ticket showing they could park until 1.46pm.
‘The police were called and removed the dog from the car. The owners arrived back at the car and proceeded to shout and swear that they didn’t see what the problem is.
‘We managed to get the dog out and a kind member of the public got the dog some fresh water. Fortunately, the dog perked up.
‘The owners arrived and we ensured that the dog was taken to a local vets for a check up.’
Temperatures in Swindon reached a high of 29 degrees yesterday, but temperatures inside the car would have been much higher.
A spokeswoman from Wiltshire Police said: ‘When we arrived the dog was heavily panting and not responding.’ (Picture: Deadline News)
A Wiltshire Police spokesman added today: ‘It is not advisable to leave any animal locked in a car during warm weather, a car can become as hot as an
oven very quickly, even when it doesn’t feel that warm outside.
‘The RSPCA estimates that in 22 degree weather, a car can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour.
‘If you come across a dog in a car during warm weather, and you’re concerned that the dog appears uncomfortable you should call police on 101 to report it.
‘If the dog is in clear distress then call us on 999.’
No arrests have been made, but police said their enquiries were ongoing.
A dog’s blistered and sore paw has revealed the shocking impact the hottest day of the year has on our four-legged friends.
Animal welfare activists have urged pet owners to take extra care of their dogs when taking them on walks as pavements can reach temperatures of over 60C.
A Twitter user, who posted the devastating image, wrote: ‘Before you take your dog for a walk in hot weather, take off your shoes and socks and stand on the pavement.
(Picture: Twitter/Zucchinisaurus)
‘If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog.’
The RSPCA said: ‘Dogs need exercise, even when it’s hot. We recommend walking your dog in the morning or evening when they will not burn its paws on the pavement or be at increased risk of heatstroke.
‘If the pavement is too hot for your hand it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.’
The charity told dog owners to look out for signs of burned pads, including limping or refusing to walk, licking or chewing at the feet, pads darker in colour and missing part of pad as well as blisters or redness.
The Met Office confirmed that the sweltering heatwave is set to continue.
Top tips for keeping your dog cool in the hot weather
Keep dogs indoors
Unlike humans, dogs can cool themselves only by panting and sweating through their paw pads.
Soaring temperatures can cause heat stress or permanent physical harm and even be fatal.
Keeping them in a well-ventilated home is the best option on a hot summer day.
It is best to keep your pet inside a well-ventilated house (Picture: Getty Images)
Make sure your animal has access to fresh drinking water and shade
If animals must be left outside, they should be given plenty of water and have constant access to shade, with the shifting sun taken into account.
Even brief periods of direct exposure to the sun can have life-threatening consequences.
Walk, don’t run
In very hot, humid weather, never exercise dogs by cycling and making them run alongside the bike.
Exercise with your dog in the morning or evening when it’s cooler (Picture: Getty Images)
Dogs will collapse before giving up, at which point it may be too late to save them.
It’s however important to remember that dogs need exercise, even when it’s hot, with experts advising walking in the morning or evening when it’s cooler.
But, when walking dogs, keep in mind that pavements can get very hot in warm weather. If it’s too hot to touch with your hand, then it’s too hot for a dog’s paws.
Swimming is also excellent exercise for your dog.
Even brief periods of direct exposure to the sun can have life-threatening consequences (Picture: Getty Images)
Never leave an animal in a parked car in warm weather, even for short periods with the windows slightly open.
A dog trapped inside a parked car can succumb to heatstroke within minutes – even when the car isn’t parked in direct sunlight.
On a 26C day the temperatures inside a shaded car is 32C, and the inside of a vehicle parked in the sun can reach 70C.
A dog showing any symptoms of heatstroke – such as restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy or lack of coordination – should be taken to a shady spot immediately.
… and heatstroke (Picture: Getty Images)
Don’t let your pet get sunburnt
Just like people who get too much sun, dogs also get sunburnt. Use pet-friendly sunscreen on exposed areas, including nose, ears and tummy.
Pets with delicate skin should be covered up, just like humans.
And don’t forget to groom your dog in the summer months.
Swimming is also an alternative to exercise for your pet (Picture: RSPCA)
Use cold treats from the fridge for added moisture
Just like people, dogs will benefit from a cold treat in the sun, but never give your dog ice cream as they can’t digest lactose properly.
Instead, make an ice lolly from pet-friendly ingredients.
Damp towels or a frozen dog bowl, could provide a welcome relief from the heat.
Three dogs have died in hot cars since the start of the heatwave, the RSPCA has revealed.
The animal charity is warning the public to call 999 if they find animals stuck in cars as police have the authority to break windows – but it does not.
More 4,000 people have called the RSPCA during the heatwave so far to report animals seen struggling while trapped in locked vehicles. Sadly, three dogs have passed away as a result.
Three dogs have died in two separate incidents after being left in hot cars so far during the heatwave (Picture: Shutterstock)
Holly Barber, Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign manager for the RSPCA, said: ‘I simply don’t understand how people can possibly think it’s acceptable to leave a dog inside a parked car when temperatures outside are topping 30C.
‘It’s absolutely baffling that people who believe they are loving pet owners can even consider this as being acceptable.
‘The RSPCA continues to be inundated with calls from members of the public reporting dogs that have been left in hot cars.
‘This is extremely worrying when you consider that our key advice is to call the police on 999 in an emergency.’
A spokesman for the RSPCA said it was aware of the deaths of three dogs left in vehicles in two separate incidents.
‘Anyone who sees a dog in a car on a hot day should dial 999, not the RSPCA, as only police have the power to smash the windows and bring the animal to safety,’ the spokeswoman said.
The RSPCA is asking people to call 999 instead of them if they find dogs in cars – because only police have authority to smash windows (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
Cars can be death traps in the boiling heat of the sun – for people and animals (Picture: PA)
The RSPCA’s emergency hotline received 1,806 calls about animals and heat exposure during the first three weeks of July and 3,832 calls during the heatwave so far, from June 1 to July 24.
It has released a full list of the breakdown of calls made from different areas in the country.
Greater London, Hampshire and West Yorkshire topped the list – all areas that have been hit by sweltering temperatures in the sunshine in recent weeks.
The Met Office says a temperature of 34.4C (93.92F) has been recorded at Heathrow in west London, beating Monday’s record high of 33.3C recorded in Santon Downham in Suffolk.
These areas had the highest number of reports of pets overheating
In response, the RSPCA has released top tips for pet owners to help their animals cope in the hot weather as forecasters warn temperatures could rise again to 37C on Friday.
But just because it’s hot outside, vets have asked pet owners to remember their animals still need exercising.
A shocking image posted online earlier this week warned of the impact of hot pavements on one poor dog’s scolded paws.
But just because walkies are off the cards, there are other ways to make sure pets are getting their daily exercise in.
Top tips for pet owners in hot weather
There are ways to keep your pets cool and safe in the sun (Picture: Alamy)
• Don’t let your pet get sunburnt – use pet-safe sun cream
• Ensure animals have access to shade and fresh drinking water
• Keep fish tanks out of direct sunlight and top up water levels of ponds
• Wrap an ice pack or frozen water bottle in a tea towel for your pet to lie on
• Use cold treats from the fridge for added moisture or make an ice lolly from pet-friendly ingredients
The Dogs Trust has advised owners that dogs can become frustrated and restless when they’re not able to get out and burn off their energy.
Tamsin Durston, canine behaviour officer at The Dogs Trust, said: ‘Why should a little bit of sun spoil all the fun?
‘It’s important to remember that dogs won’t necessarily know if they are overheating and might continue to play and dash about in hot temperatures, because they might have such a strong desire to play.
‘So just because a dog is chasing a ball and bringing it back, this doesn’t mean their body is physically coping with this activity, and they might be likely to overheat.
‘Help your dog to cool down by giving them a tasty watermelon slice in moderation, making sure they have plenty of shade, and by putting fresh wet towels on the floor for them to lie down on.’
An RSPCA charity shop has come under fire for selling golliwogs – after a member of the public branded them an ‘outdated and offensive stereotype’.
Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home stopped selling the dolls after receiving complaints when two were placed in the clothing shop window.
Graham Waller, 45, said he was ‘taken aback’ when he saw the golliwogs while walking past the shop in Cirencester.
The knitted rag doll is made from black fabric – and has red lips with white teeth and frizzy hair. (Picture: SWNS)
The instructional designer added: ‘I took a double-take while walking past as I was shocked to see golliwogs on sale in this day and age.
‘Seeing an outdated and offensive stereotype in a public place, and especially in a charity shop and at the level of passing children, was concerning.’
The knitted rag doll is made from black fabric – and has red lips with white teeth and frizzy hair.
They sell for up to £50 from online retailers and were created by English cartoonist Florence Upton in 1895 – who described them as a ‘horrid sight’.
The Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) charity said it was saddened to hear the ‘demeaning’ items were on sale.
Their spokesman said: ‘The sale of these dolls perpetuate racism as they hark back to a time when the mockery and stereotyping of black people was considered a social norm.
Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home stopped selling the dolls after receiving complaints when two were placed in the clothing shop window. (Picture: SWNS)
‘SRtRC urges the public to refrain from buying such overtly racist items and we hope the shop selling the dolls would consider taking them out of the store as one cannot profit on the oppression of an entire community.
‘In a multicultural and ethnically diverse Britain, such items no longer have a place.’
But Cirencester town councillor Jenny Hincks believes the dolls are a matter of ‘personal preference’.
She said: ‘If it does offend someone maybe it would be of benefit for them to go into the shop and ask them to remove it from the window.
‘It doesn’t mean the shop can’t sell it, as that is their prerogative. Personally it doesn’t offend me.
‘I expect there are people who are scared of them. There are people who have strange phobias.
‘I do understand and respect people’s point of view that it is offensive. But it’s not my right to tell a shop they can’t sell something.’
Kirstin Maycock, who manages the charity shop, said: ‘We would never wish to cause offence when selling a donated item.
‘Our team are always reluctant to commit to the rubbish bin items that are in good condition.
‘However on this occasion the donation should not have been put out for sale and has now been removed from the shop floor and will not be sold.
‘We would like to take this opportunity of thanking our community for their continued support. It makes a huge difference to the wonderful animals we care for.’
A cat has seemingly lost two of its nine lives after being shot with a pellet gun and breaking a paw in an illegal gin trap just days apart.
Horrific pictures show one-year-old Violet’s bloodied paw caught in the jaws of the banned trap after she was rescued by Jodie Barratt, 33, from a neighbouring garden.
Another sickening photograph shows blood and hair remaining on the trap after Violet was freed.
Violet was found on a neighbours roof after dragging the trap when it snapped shut (Picture: SWNS)
Gin traps have been illegal in England and Wales since 1958 and in Scotland since 1971 (Picture: SWNS)
Violet could potentially have to have her leg amputated because the trap refused to come off her leg for so long.
A ‘gin-trap’ is a mechanical device designed to catch an animal by the leg or head using spring operated jaws and was made illegal in England and Wales in 1958 and in Scotland in 1971.
Jodie heard the cat screaming at around 7am on Saturday morning and rushed towards the noise.
This puppy was dumped in a box marked ‘fragile’ at a cemetery but it could fetch thousands of pounds at auction.
Little Mia, a crossbreed with a blue coat of hair, was found during the sweltering heatwave.
Blue coat dogs, which include the elite Basset Blue de Gasgogne and Kerry Blue Terriers, can sell for up to £3,000.
The eight-week old puppy has a highly sought after blue coat (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Dogs with blue coats are worth thousands of pounds (Picture: SWNS)
Mia had a short note with her explaining she was eight weeks old and that she was a crossbreed with no vaccinations.
She was found in Hanwell Cemetery, Ealing, west London, on July 23.
RSPCA Inspector Mike Beaman, investigating the incident, said: ‘This little pup was found with a blue blanket inside a white cardboard box marked “Fragile”.
‘She’d apparently been left in a cemetery.
Little Mia was dumped in west London in a box marked ‘fragile’ (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
‘A short note was left with her explaining that she was eight-weeks-old, a crossbreed, and hadn’t had any vaccinations.
‘She was found at around lunchtime by a member of the public.
‘Goodness knows how long she’d been in that box in the cemetery but, in this heat, it’s incredible that she was okay.’
Mia is now being cared for by staff at the RSPCA Animal Hospital in Putney and Inspector Beaman is keen to find anyone who knows where she might have come from or if anyone saw anything suspicious in the area at the time.
He added: ‘It’s completely irresponsible to abandon a pup of this age in this way, particularly during this heatwave which is so dangerous for animals.’
A blind man accidentally picked up a huge snake which crawled into his bathroom through the toilet.
Stuart Saunders, 60, was listening to music when he heard crashing sounds late at night and went to investigate.
He found what he thought was a foam pipe for insulation, and tried to pick it up several times to shift it.
But his horrified support worker then burst into the room and told him the intruder was a massive escaped snake.
The deadly reptile had escaped through the plumbing system into his home in Exeter, Devon.
Caption: A blind man who thought he’d found a roll of insulation in his bathroom discovered it was – an eight foot python
It crawled in through the toilet (Picture: SWNS)
Stuart, who was born blind, said: ‘I was laying in my reclining chair listening to my music when the next minute I heard ‘crash! crash!’ and things began falling in the bathroom.
‘After a while I went into the bathroom to pick them up, I thought the wind from the window may have blown them over.
‘A toothbrush and glass, a bottle of bleach and shampoo had all fallen down.. When I picked them up I noticed this thing on the floor, like insulation had come up.
‘I went forward and picked it up but it was too heavy. I rang my support worker on the intercom and said ‘I’ve got a bit of mess ‘ and over they came.
‘My mate Jason said, ‘you’ve got a snake in your bathroom.’
A snake, not insulation (Picture: SWNS)
‘We rang the police, they rang the RSPCA, but it was Exeter Exotics who came over and caught it for us.
‘It left the bathroom in an awful mess, with gunge on the wall. The whole bathroom has to be deep cleaned.’
Stuart had never handled a snake before, and added: ‘I have never, ever had a snake in my bathroom.
‘I was so amazed. I thought, ‘How did that get there?’ Goodness knows, I don’t know.’
Jason added: ‘I walked in and opened the door, thinking a bottle of bleach had fallen on the floor or something and there was this massive snake curled up.
‘And I had to actually walk in and out again because I just could not believe it.’
Nearby Exeter Exotics is now looking after the python after it was found at 10pm on Sunday evening.
Unless you are trained to interact with wild animals, then you should steer well clear and let the experts handle it, no matter how well-meaning you are.
That’s because if you haven’t had the training, then you won’t know the best way of handling the animal – and both parties could end up injured, or worse.
While it seems pretty obvious for some, to others it’s not – which has left the RSCPA having to issue a plea for people to leave seals alone if they find them sick or injured on the beach.
The pup was found in a bag on the beach in Whitby (Picture: Twitter/RSPCA_Frontline)
The charity took to Twitter to warn people of the dangers of interfering with wild animals after they found a baby seal which someone had left in a dumpy bag on a beach in Whitby.
Someone had picked the pup up and placed it in the bag, causing the animal to overheat – a life-threatening condition for them.
The animal welfare charity urged well-meaning members of the public to give seals a wide berth, even if they find them injured.
They instead insisted that people should call the experts instead and let them handle the situation the best they can – after all, seals can give a nasty bite.
If you find a sick/injured #seal, please call us but leave well alone! The safest place for them to wait for us is on the beach. A pup in #Whitby was picked up & left in a dumpy bag, causing it to overheat, which is life threatening. They also give a nasty bite @RSPCA_official 49 pic.twitter.com/BkxgxHwX0S
RSPCA Frontline tweeted: ‘If you find a sick/injured #seal, please call us but leave well alone!
‘The safest place for them to wait for us is on the beach. A pup in #Whitby was picked up & left in a dumpy bag, causing it to overheat, which is life threatening.
‘They also give a nasty bite.’
The charity says seal pups will often be left by themselves from around three weeks old, so people should monitor the animals from a safe distance for around 24 hours first before doing anything.
If you see a seal on the beach, do not interfere with it (Picture: Getty)
If the mother doesn’t return after 24 hours, or the pup looks sick or injured, then please contact the RSPCA – do not interact with the animal yourself.
A spokesman for the RSCPA told Metro.co.uk: ‘Seals can give a nasty bite so we would advise anyone who finds an injured seal to contact us on 0300 1234 999 and monitor them from a distance until one of our officers, who are specially trained in handling seals, attends.
‘It is upsetting to see any injured animal and we understand people’s good intentions to rescue animals in need, however we would recommend that the best course of action would be to contact us, follow any advice given by the call-handler at our control centre and continue monitoring the animal until we arrive to rescue them.’
A man who left his car for four hours with a dog inside while he went to have fun in the sun has hit out at people who rescued his dog.
He reacted with anger when he returned to his car at Frensham Ponds, Surrey, where temperatures reached 35°C on Sunday to find a window had been smashed.
He had left his dog with a window only slightly ajar, sparking concern from people who were passing by.
The dog owner started playing up to the cameras and confronting the dog’s rescuers
After an hour of waiting and passing water through the window to the dog they took the decision to smash a window with a hammer to free the French bulldog.
However, the owner didn’t return for another three hours and then started getting angry at the people who rescued the dog.
He started dancing, waving at the camera and shushing them, apparently more bothered about the damage to his car than his dog.
Police were called but they told rangers to return the bulldog to the owner and give him words of advice.
Hollie Marie Evans, who recorded the event said: ‘The temperature was increasing and the dog was showing signs of distress, and he started being sick and his breathing became erratic.
The dog was rescued after an hour but the owner didn’t return for another three hours (Picture: BPM)
The window was smashed after the dog became increasingly distressed (Picture: BPM)
‘We needed to get the dog out for his welfare. The group decided for the dog’s safety to break the window and get him out.
‘We broke the window, got the dog out and took him to shade. He was still being sick.’
Hollie added: ‘We waited for just over four hours in total for the owners to return. They weren’t remotely interested in the dog’s welfare and were more concerned about the broken window of the car.
‘No thanks was given, just abuse and threatening behaviour.’
Waverley Borough Council said: ‘With the help of concerned members of the public, the dog was retrieved, given water and kept in the shade of the rangers’ office.’
The dog was handed back to the owners after advice from police and they were told about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars.
The RSPCA says: ‘In an emergency, we may not be able to attend quickly enough, and with no powers of entry, we’d need police assistance at such an incident.
‘Don’t be afraid to dial 999, the police will inform us if animal welfare assistance is required.’
Crucially, the RSPCA adds: ‘If the situation becomes critical for the dog and the police are too far away or unable to attend, many people’s instinct will be to break into the car to free the dog.
‘If you decide to do this, please be aware that without proper justification, this could be classed as criminal damage and, potentially, you may need to defend your actions in court.’
This bizarre pink bird isn’t some kind of new species, or a tropical bird that’s somehow ended up lost in Britain.
In fact, it’s actually a seagull that appears to have been spray painted a bright shade of pink.
The animal looks more like a real life Pokemon and caused quite a stir when it was spotted in Barnstaple, Devon.
The RSPCA has reminded people that gulls are protected (Picture: SWNS)
Jenny Supernok, who took this photo of the seagull, said she was in a car at the time and the driver was so distracted they almost crashed.
She said: ‘We were like, ‘really, is that a seagull?’.
‘Then I thought it could be sick from the dye or cause a crash by distraction, there were many pedestrians around.
‘I hope someone catches it and helps it.’
The bird was spotted chilling out above a shop in Barnstaple, Devon (Picture: SWNS)
An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘We are concerned to hear reports of gulls in Barnstaple being spray painted and would urge anyone with further information about these gulls to ring the RSPCA.
‘Sadly gulls do have a tough time of it at this time of year, we would urge people to be tolerant of the wildlife living around them and also to remember that gulls are protected under law.’
In a statement, Devon and Cornwall Police said they received reports on Friday August 3 that a seagull had been sprayed pink.
It added: ‘The RSPCA attended to sort the bird but suspects were not located.’
A cat’s tail detached from its body after it was deliberately flung through the air ‘like a helicopter’.
Vets had to surgically remove two-year-old Pumpkin’s tail because it had separated from her spine in the sustained and brutal abuse.
Her distraught owner Evelyn Rayner had discovered the cat cowering under a duvet in agony.
Pumpkin the cat who had it’s tail removed after being swung like a helicopter (Picture: SWNS)
She rushed her to the vets with a swollen tail where the full extent of Pumpkin’s injuries was revealed through x-rays.
Evelyn, 31, said: ‘The vet showed me the x-rays and explained this was not an accident – it was intentional.
‘When he said that, I just started crying.
‘He confirmed someone deliberately picked her up and flung her around until her tail became separated from her spine – we are lucky she can walk.
‘It could have been a random person, a neighbour, a kid – but they were doing it for a while.’
Pumpkin’s injuries were so extensive that her tail could no be saved.
An x-ray showed how the tail had been separated from the spine (Picture: SWNS)
‘It’s a long road to recovery, two weeks until the stitches are removed, and months until her nerve endings heal,’ said Evelyn.
‘It has changed how I walk down the road, I’ve lost my trust in everybody. It could have been anyone.’
Mum-of-one Evelyn from Oulton Broad in Norfolk believes Pumpkin’s friendly nature could have left her vulnerable to attack.
She has chosen to keep the cause of Pumpkin’s injury a secret from her eight-year-old daughter Kaitlyn.
Evelyn said: ‘Pumpkin is very friendly but doesn’t go far from the house because she’s quite shy.
‘Her friendliness could have been her downfall – she probably walked right up to the person.’
Vets said the attack was prolonged and deliberate (Picture: SWNS)
The RSPCA is investigating the incident and has asked anyone with information to get in touch.
A spokesman said: ‘It is awful to think that someone has deliberately swung a cat by their tail.
‘It is completely unacceptable to treat a cat in this way and we would urge anyone who has any information as to who may have done this to Pumpkin to call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.’
The RSPCA is warning people not to put beached dolphins back in the sea after two died in the space of days.
Officers say ‘well-meaning’ beach walkers in west Wales were trying to help the animals, but were doing the ‘wrong thing’ for them and their ‘welfare’.
A striped dolphin was found in trouble on Coppet Hall beach in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, a few weeks back.
This dolphin died after people tried to refloat it in the sea (Picture: RSPCA)
The RSPCA is warning people to call them immediately if they find a dolphin in trouble (Picture: RSPCA)
Some people tried to refloat the unwell and emaciated animal, but unfortunately, it later died.
An RSPCA officer inspected photos of the dolphin and said they could ‘clearly see’ the dolphin was suffering and should not have been returned to the wild in that way.
In a separate incident, a washed-up skinny dolphin was found on Newgale beach in Pembrokeshire just two days later.
The RSPCA arrived to find the animal dead and its body in a very poor condition.
The dead dolphin was in a terrible condition (Picture: RSPCA)
It had suffered a brutal death (Picture: RSPCA)
Its body had already began discolouring (Picture: RSPCA)
Just like before, some well-meaning beach walkers tried several times to return the dolphin to the water.
RSPCA Wales said dolphins tend to beach for a reason.
It is often because they are dying or have major welfare complications.
Officers are now urging anyone who finds a beached dolphin this summer to not attempt to refloat it, but call the RSPCA immediately.
The RSPCA had to remove the body from the beach in case it spread any diseases (Picture: RSPCA)
RSPCA officer Ellie West said: ‘In many ways, it is a source of great pride that people across west Wales love wild animals and want to help.
‘But returning a beached aquatic mammals to the sea can be hugely counter-productive.
‘People are obviously well-meaning in doing this, but usually it is the wrong thing to do for the animals, and their welfare.’
The RSPCA is also warning about the health risks of handling creatures like the dolphins found at Saundersfoot and Newgale.
Post-mortems of sea animals, including whales, dolphins, porpoises, turtles and basking sharks, has found there is a substantial risk of contracting diseases if you handle them when they are beached.
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