Staffordshire Police are investigating a confrontation at a B&M store in Lichfield after a woman retrieved a dog from a car during a heatwave, leading to threats and verbal abuse from the dog's owner.
Incident at Imperial Retail Park
The altercation occurred on Wednesday, June 24, at the B&M store on Imperial Retail Park, near Eastern Avenue, during a red alert heatwave with temperatures exceeding 30°C. Video footage shows a man repeatedly shouting “give me my dog” and threatening to punch a woman in the face after she claimed to have “liberated” the animal from a van in 34°C heat.
The woman, in her 30s, said she spotted the dog inside a car on the car park around lunchtime. She took the dog into the air-conditioned store and alerted staff. The man, who identified himself as the owner, reportedly became aggressive and abusive, insisting the window was open and he had committed no crime.
Police Appeal for Information
Officers were called to the store at approximately 1pm. A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: “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. 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.”
Police reviewed CCTV footage and spoke to the victim and staff. The woman was left shaken but unhurt. The force is urging anyone with information or dash-cam footage to come forward by calling 101 and quoting log number 455 of June 24.
RSPCA Advice on Dogs in Hot Cars
The RSPCA warns that even with windows open or in shade, car interiors can reach up to 47°C within an hour when the outside temperature is just 22°C. Leaving dogs in hot cars can be fatal. The charity advises taking dogs out of cars immediately if they appear distressed.
