Today I went to retail park and parked up next to a car - as I got out I noticed the windows were down - about a quarter of the way down - I thought to my self that's unusual and then noticed a little Yorkshire terrier in front seat and thought that's not good.
I shopped and came back 20 mins later and car and dog still there.
I was totally in a quandary so googled dogs in hot car (temp was reading 22 degrees in my car) -said to ring 999 and as dog was now sitting up panting away rang 999.
Police came within 15 mins and looked at car and as both windows were a quarter way down they said the owner had sufficiently left windows open for the dog and nothing they could do!
I felt awful that I was wasting their time but I also felt I hadn't done enough as then had to go!
Did I do the right thing as I can't stop thinking about this poor dog.
I think you did the right thing too. Quite a few years ago now I found the same situation at a MacDonalds car park. When I told Macs, they went from table to table till they found the owner and then packed their food up for them and made them take it away. its easier when the car park is for one shop only as the headline in the paper is then not "dog dies in hot car" but dog dies in hot car in XXX's car park
As I understand it, the dog has to actually be at immediate risk or distressed for them to take action. If the dog is "only" panting then its not enough to allow them to act.
You did the right thing, but I would have got it some water. Another stupid owner leaving the dog alone in a hot car when the poor thing would have been so much better off at home.