Man Leaves Dog to Bake in 38-Degree Heat – Faces Animal Cruelty Ban
Michael Haye, 39, of Walthamstow, stunned onlookers by leaving his Rottweiler, Shay, locked in a sizzling car during a record-breaking heatwave. The mercury hit 38°C outside a South Mimms Premier Inn, where Haye fell asleep, oblivious to his dog’s plight.
Passerby Saves Dog in Scorching Car
A vigilant member of the public noticed Shay trapped in the sweltering car park on Monday 18 July last year — the day the Met Office issued its first ever Red heat warning. Spotting the unlocked car door handle, the Good Samaritan managed to get inside and gave Shay some water.
But it was too late to stop the Rottweiler from suffering. Police described the vehicle as “scorching,” with Shay found foaming at the mouth and barely able to stand. With a dangerous body temperature of 42°C, the brave dog was rushed to the Royal Veterinary College with emergency cooling and air conditioning.
Owner Claims He Left Water — But It Was Dry and Scorching
Haye was tracked down asleep inside the hotel. During questioning, he claimed he’d left water for his dog. However, officers found a dry, boiling-hot dog bowl and a lone bottle of water — hardly enough for a 38-degree day.
“The poor dog was so weak that he couldn’t walk and had to be lifted out of the car and into a police vehicle,” explained Detective Sergeant Mikey Logue.
Justice Served: Ten-Year Dog Ban and £6,500 Costs
St Albans Magistrates handed down a harsh sentence. Haye is banned from owning dogs for ten years and must pay £6,504.77 to cover kennel and vet bills. He was also sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid community labour over the next year.
Hertfordshire Police warned the public: never leave dogs in hot cars, especially during heatwaves. Shay survived but the ordeal is a stark reminder of how deadly scorching vehicles can be for pets.
