Three dogs die after being left in car parked at tourist attraction

A man has been arrested after three pet dogs suffered a terrible death after being left in a hot vehicle in the car park of a Pembrokeshire tourist attraction.


Today's (Wednesday) print edition of the Western Telegraph revealed how the three labradors were discovered dead by their holidaymaker owners when they returned to the car after visiting Folly Farm.


The incident - described by the RSPCA as a 'horrible tragedy' - occurred on Tuesday afternoon of last week, which saw bright sunshine after a cloudy start to the day.


The distraught owners of the animals contacted police when they returned to their car at 6.30pm.


A police spokesman said: "Officers attended and recovered the bodies of the three dogs.A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing animal suffering/cruelty and has been bailed pending further enquiries."
 

Folly Farm's managing director, Chris Ebsworth said that the situation was 'very tragic' and served as an important reminder as to why dogs should never be left unattended in a car.
 

He added: "Due to the number of farm and zoo animals we have at Folly Farm, we are unable to welcome dogs onto the park (with the exception of guide dogs). We discourage visitors from bringing their dogs by stating on our website and in our brochure that they will not be permitted onto the park."
 

Following the incident, the RSPCA is once again urging pet owners not to forget the welfare of their animals in hot weather.


The temperature inside a vehicle can soar to 47 degrees within an hour, when the outside temperature is just 22 degrees.
 

Said the RSPCA's director of communications, David Bowles: "Most people seem to know the 'don't leave dogs in hot cars' message, but I think tjhey just don't think anything bad will happen to their pets, particularly if they're just leaving them for a few minutes."

 


Hot conservatories, outbuildings or gardens without shade can also trigger heatstroke in pets, which in extreme instances, can result in coma or death.

Comments(30)

Tina2 says...
1:13pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Everyone knows not to leave dogs in cars when the weather is hot or going to be hot.

Three dead labradors all because someone didn't think. It's no good saying 'well the window was open for air' because it is never open enough. RSPCA please prosecute this person for the death of these poor dogs no matter how upset the owner is.

And Folly Farm any chance of having some one checking the cars for dogs?

quentin says...
4:20pm Wed 22 Aug 12

I think your final point is a valid one.

williamsmum says...
5:22pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Having dogs for years and travelled all over the UK with them on holiday we usually rented a cottage, which they could not be left alone in, fair enough.
So, when we wanted to visit various 'attractions' we often couldn't due to the 'no dogs' rule. Again fair enough. But we often thought how nice it would be if some places offered a secure run where we could have placed our dogs while we visited these venues.

The owner of these 3 Labs we know was in the wrong, but I have to say my heart goes out to them and their loss.

great gran says...
6:13pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Knowing this is possible to happen again with a lot of holidaymakers using the Folly farm facilities, would it not be possible to have someone walk through the parked cars and check that there are no animals left in them in the heat? This could save a lot of lives in the long run and well worth the effort?
After all it is animal welfare that is being taken care of.

irishchicxx says...
6:39pm Wed 22 Aug 12

i am disgusted to read about this today as i was at folly farm on day of incedent and reported it to folly farm staff at 3.30 after last peppa pig showing as i returned to my car to find these animals struggling in car behind me ! i checked windows which were slightly open but dogs were panting heavily and very stressed !i took down number plate and car type and went straight to reception where i spoke to a young lad ,i asked for supervisor who was also quite young !i gave number plate ,car type and location of car and was promised that the duty manager would be called to **** the situation and locate owner if needed !As folly farm is a keeper of animals and in charge of their welfare i trusted them at their word and have wondered about these poor animals since and was totally devasted to read about their death today and to find that their owner found them dead three hours later ! i know family are wrong for leaving dogs in that heat and are prob devastated but folly farm staff could have saved all three of them animals !!!!

davdow6 says...
8:54pm Wed 22 Aug 12

how do people take dogs to a place like this knowing they wouldn't be back to the car for a few hours.what is wrong with these people have they no sense at all,how would they like to be locked in there with them sort of tempertures for hours.tey should be banned from keeping pets for life

philipw says...
9:56pm Wed 22 Aug 12

There is only one person to blame and I hope the police prosecute.
There have been similar cases(involving police themselves) over the last couple of years. You can google if you are interested.

philipw says...
10:21pm Wed 22 Aug 12

irishchicxx wrote:
i am disgusted to read about this today as i was at folly farm on day of incedent and reported it to folly farm staff at 3.30 after last peppa pig showing as i returned to my car to find these animals struggling in car behind me ! i checked windows which were slightly open but dogs were panting heavily and very stressed !i took down number plate and car type and went straight to reception where i spoke to a young lad ,i asked for supervisor who was also quite young !i gave number plate ,car type and location of car and was promised that the duty manager would be called to **** the situation and locate owner if needed !As folly farm is a keeper of animals and in charge of their welfare i trusted them at their word and have wondered about these poor animals since and was totally devasted to read about their death today and to find that their owner found them dead three hours later ! i know family are wrong for leaving dogs in that heat and are prob devastated but folly farm staff could have saved all three of them animals !!!!
Dreadful all round. Me thinks you should have a word with the police so they know all the facts.

Folly Farm says...
10:36pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Many thanks for notifying us of your concern and we totally understand your frustration and how upset you are. I would like to reassure you that your report was acted upon but because there is an ongoing police investigation we have had to be very careful about what we say.

I can confirm that following your report to our reception staff, a manager went to the car park, located the car and found the dogs not to be distressed or panting, there was a bowl of water and two windows were open. It would be practically impossible to locate the owner of a car amongst many thousands of visitors so the manager decided to return to the car again a short while later to reassess the situation before taking further action. At this time they observed, who they understood to be the owner, walking the dogs. The owner subsequently confirmed to the authorities that he walked his dogs at around 4.30pm and they were in good health.

Whilst there is an ongoing police investigation we are unable to provide any further comment but we would like to reassure you that animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do at Folly Farm with a dedicated and experienced team of staff who have been deeply affected by this tragic event.

chizy says...
11:22pm Wed 22 Aug 12

Folly Farm do a brilliant system for lost kids in the park that involves a wrist band where parents contact details can be logged should the child get lost. Couldn't a log be kept at reception recording car reg and contact number should any pets be left in a vehicle during a visit?

Tina2 says...
7:10am Thu 23 Aug 12

philipw wrote:
irishchicxx wrote:
i am disgusted to read about this today as i was at folly farm on day of incedent and reported it to folly farm staff at 3.30 after last peppa pig showing as i returned to my car to find these animals struggling in car behind me ! i checked windows which were slightly open but dogs were panting heavily and very stressed !i took down number plate and car type and went straight to reception where i spoke to a young lad ,i asked for supervisor who was also quite young !i gave number plate ,car type and location of car and was promised that the duty manager would be called to **** the situation and locate owner if needed !As folly farm is a keeper of animals and in charge of their welfare i trusted them at their word and have wondered about these poor animals since and was totally devasted to read about their death today and to find that their owner found them dead three hours later ! i know family are wrong for leaving dogs in that heat and are prob devastated but folly farm staff could have saved all three of them animals !!!!
Dreadful all round. Me thinks you should have a word with the police so they know all the facts.
Me to. They were made aware of the situation they could have phoned the police or even made some attempt to find the owners.

I am disgusted in their behaviour I hope those who did nothing to help these poor dogs feel guilty.

Tina2 says...
7:15am Thu 23 Aug 12

Folly Farm wrote:
Many thanks for notifying us of your concern and we totally understand your frustration and how upset you are. I would like to reassure you that your report was acted upon but because there is an ongoing police investigation we have had to be very careful about what we say.

I can confirm that following your report to our reception staff, a manager went to the car park, located the car and found the dogs not to be distressed or panting, there was a bowl of water and two windows were open. It would be practically impossible to locate the owner of a car amongst many thousands of visitors so the manager decided to return to the car again a short while later to reassess the situation before taking further action. At this time they observed, who they understood to be the owner, walking the dogs. The owner subsequently confirmed to the authorities that he walked his dogs at around 4.30pm and they were in good health.

Whilst there is an ongoing police investigation we are unable to provide any further comment but we would like to reassure you that animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do at Folly Farm with a dedicated and experienced team of staff who have been deeply affected by this tragic event.
Well we will have to wait and see what turns out.

Tina2 says...
7:16am Thu 23 Aug 12

philipw wrote:
There is only one person to blame and I hope the police prosecute.
There have been similar cases(involving police themselves) over the last couple of years. You can google if you are interested.
I remember the case of the police dogs.

Tina2 says...
7:17am Thu 23 Aug 12

A bowl of water for three labradors in a car on a hot day............yeah that should help them.

irishchicxx says...
12:35pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Folly farm and radio pemb have removed my posts and all the publics comments from their walls! The public have a right to know what's going on! Both the police and RSPCA have been spoken to and investigations are being made ! Guess freedom of speech don't work these days . I stand by all I've said and will do so in court if needed !

great gran says...
12:52pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Well getting hot around the collar is not going to help those poor dogs now,but surely constructive critisism would go a long way to making sure that it does not happen again?
All the ingredients are going to be in place in the future for a repeat of this tradgedy, it nothing is put in place to counteract it?

williamsmum says...
12:58pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Well perhaps attractions could take up my idea of providing a secure runs for visitors dogs. No one seems to have picked up on that idea.
Even if a small fee is applied owners would surely pay.
This applies UK wide not just in Pembs.

kimba79 says...
3:16pm Thu 23 Aug 12

This makes me so mad! Those poor dogs. No sympathy for the owner at all. I was down Neyland Marina a couple of weeks back and someone had locked a labrador in their van while they went for food. You could see the poor dog was hot and panting and they had only left the sun roof open a crack. My husband located the owner only to stared at as if he was from outer space when he mentioned it. He did come over shortly after to check on the dog but I think that was mainly down to the fact he was shown up in the middle of a busy cafe.

MP676 says...
4:26pm Thu 23 Aug 12

great gran wrote:
Well getting hot around the collar is not going to help those poor dogs now,but surely constructive critisism would go a long way to making sure that it does not happen again? All the ingredients are going to be in place in the future for a repeat of this tradgedy, it nothing is put in place to counteract it?
'Hot around the collar?' Is that a joke?

Tina2 says...
4:37pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Folly Farm wrote:
Many thanks for notifying us of your concern and we totally understand your frustration and how upset you are. I would like to reassure you that your report was acted upon but because there is an ongoing police investigation we have had to be very careful about what we say.

I can confirm that following your report to our reception staff, a manager went to the car park, located the car and found the dogs not to be distressed or panting, there was a bowl of water and two windows were open. It would be practically impossible to locate the owner of a car amongst many thousands of visitors so the manager decided to return to the car again a short while later to reassess the situation before taking further action. At this time they observed, who they understood to be the owner, walking the dogs. The owner subsequently confirmed to the authorities that he walked his dogs at around 4.30pm and they were in good health.

Whilst there is an ongoing police investigation we are unable to provide any further comment but we would like to reassure you that animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do at Folly Farm with a dedicated and experienced team of staff who have been deeply affected by this tragic event.
Do you not have some sort of tannoy system where you can speak to the public in case of a lost child or an emergency?

uttus says...
9:20pm Thu 23 Aug 12

Despite the obvious I do feel for the couple who lost their pets in this terrible way. I've no doubt they'll suffer great remorse and anguish over the way their animals suffered.
On the continent there are free area's at the motorway services where pets can be locked into secure boxes (think station lockers crossed with animal carrying cages), open wire mesh fronts and ventilation holes, free water bowls and toilet facilities (so others are not inconvenienced by fouling). Why not supply this sort of service (for a small fee if necessary) at attractions where dogs cannot be allowed, even on a leash?

williamsmum says...
9:31pm Thu 23 Aug 12

My point exactly uttus!

poppy71 says...
11:31pm Thu 23 Aug 12

although a part of me has a little bit of sympathy for this guy as i would be horrified to find my dog dead what idiots take a dog or three in this case to somewhere where its pretty obvious you wont be allowed to take you dogs in with you. Him and who ever he was with should be prosecuted for murder, except we all know what would happen he will end up with a slapped wrist because hes "sorry". At least they could prosecute him individually for each dog.
I know people like to take pets on holiday but if they cant be with you or left alone for whatever reason the answer is simple . . dont take them or dont go!.
Well done to the person who reported it to Folly Farm who if whats been said proves accurate they should also be prosecuted.
I have been in the situation where i reported a dog in distress and although the police did attend quickly i was quite disappounted that having made sure the dog was comfortable put it back into the car with the windows open. When the owner returned she was more interested in the fact her precious windows were open than her dog. She never even let it out for a run.

A Northerner in Pembrokeshire says...
2:30pm Fri 24 Aug 12

I dont think Folly Farm are at fault here, its surely the owners at fault, it seems that Folly Farm acted to the best of their ability at the report that came in, and Im sure that they will review this policy after this tragic incident, to see if there are any better ways to handle this sort of situation in the future.

Give them a break, and accept the person at fault was the owner and nobody else, if you do have any ideas as to how this situation could be handled in the future to stop this then Im sure they would be happy to listen and put sensible procedures in place.

quentin says...
10:15pm Fri 24 Aug 12

A Northerner in Pembrokeshire wrote:
I dont think Folly Farm are at fault here, its surely the owners at fault, it seems that Folly Farm acted to the best of their ability at the report that came in, and Im sure that they will review this policy after this tragic incident, to see if there are any better ways to handle this sort of situation in the future.

Give them a break, and accept the person at fault was the owner and nobody else, if you do have any ideas as to how this situation could be handled in the future to stop this then Im sure they would be happy to listen and put sensible procedures in place.
I agree northener.You can't expect FF to be responsible for other peoples thoughtlessness. I thought we had too much of the nanny state already. Carry that to it's natural conclusion and we'll be asking Folly Farm to wipe our bottoms when we go to the toilet. The owner is the one at fault on this occasion.

Tina2 says...
8:07am Sat 25 Aug 12

quentin wrote:
A Northerner in Pembrokeshire wrote:
I dont think Folly Farm are at fault here, its surely the owners at fault, it seems that Folly Farm acted to the best of their ability at the report that came in, and Im sure that they will review this policy after this tragic incident, to see if there are any better ways to handle this sort of situation in the future.

Give them a break, and accept the person at fault was the owner and nobody else, if you do have any ideas as to how this situation could be handled in the future to stop this then Im sure they would be happy to listen and put sensible procedures in place.
I agree northener.You can't expect FF to be responsible for other peoples thoughtlessness. I thought we had too much of the nanny state already. Carry that to it's natural conclusion and we'll be asking Folly Farm to wipe our bottoms when we go to the toilet. The owner is the one at fault on this occasion.
I just hope they acted on the info given to them by the member of the public or saw the distressed dogs.

Did they ask over the tannoy system for the owners of car reg number ******** to return to said vehicle?

great gran says...
11:13am Sun 26 Aug 12

Sorry about the pun of getting "hot around the collar" not that appropriate in this case.
being used by a lot of holidaymakers who take their pets on holiday with them, surely is not being a "nanny state" to have facilities available for the dogs to be in the fresh air whilst their owners enjoy what is on offer at Folly farm? then it would not happen again to other unfortunate animals.

El Diablo says...
8:08pm Mon 27 Aug 12

I haven't been to Oakwood for a few years, but we left our dog in kennels there on one visit. Why not other attractions following suit, as suggested above?

poppy71 says...
6:19pm Tue 28 Aug 12

I didnt mean to say that Folly Farm were responsible for the dogs deaths, that is completely the owners fault. What i meant as someone also said, I hope that Folly Farm acted on the information that was given to them. They say they would be unable to find owners but i wonder what would happen if a human was taken ill?

Tina2 says...
11:37am Wed 29 Aug 12

poppy71 wrote:
I didnt mean to say that Folly Farm were responsible for the dogs deaths, that is completely the owners fault. What i meant as someone also said, I hope that Folly Farm acted on the information that was given to them. They say they would be unable to find owners but i wonder what would happen if a human was taken ill?
I understand they have a tannoy system which they use to announce things to the public.

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