‘ANIMAL NEGLECT’: Police rescue dog left alone in 30-degree heat for hours in Spain

POLICE have rescued a dog which was allegedly left inside a car as its owner went to work.

Officers Alejandro Ortiz and Angel Lopez claim they first spotted the car at around 3.30pm, badly parked on a pedestrian crossing.

They allege a middle-aged man later approached the vehicle with a dog before re-parking the car and leaving the six-year-old Alsatian inside.  The officers claim the man had only left one front window open by around seven inches in weather approaching 30-degree heat.

Officer Ortiz told one publication the animal showed clear signs of dehydration. He said: “We gave her five bowls of water and she drank them all.” He added: “We spent some time with the animal, and we considered opening the doors, but started to get nervous about being bitten, so we waited for the technicians from Don Animal, the company that manages the animal rescue service in the Axarquia.”

After asking a local hotel whether they had seen the dog’s owner and being told he had left, the officers called Don Animal, who arrived at around 6pm.  The animal was taken to the company’s headquarters in Rincon de la Victoria, where it was checked over and allegedly found to be micro-chipped but not vaccinated. 

At around 8pm, the owner called police to ask if they knew where his dog was, explaining he had been held up at his job as an electrician.  He was told he could pick up the dog next day and sanctioned for not having the necessary vaccines for his pet.  He also faces charges of animal neglect.