A man was heard threatening to punch a woman in the face after she removed a dog from a sweltering van during a red alert heatwave, triggering a police investigation into the confrontation at a B&M store in Lichfield.
Footage captured the heated exchange at the discount retailer's branch on Imperial Retail Park, near Eastern Avenue, at around 1pm on Wednesday, June 24. The woman, in her 30s, had spotted the dog inside a vehicle during temperatures of 34C, and claimed she had "liberated" it after taking it into an air-conditioned store and alerting staff.
“Police probe after man threatened to punch woman who rescued dog from hot car outside B&M in Lichfield”
The man, believed to be the dog's owner, responded angrily, insisting: "I haven't committed any crime. The window was open." He was then heard shouting: "Give me my dog or I'll lose my s***. Give me my dog you weirdo before I punch you in the face."
Staffordshire Police confirmed they were called to the shop and have launched a formal investigation. A force 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." Officers spoke to the victim and staff and reviewed CCTV footage from the store. The woman was left "shaken but unhurt", police added.
The RSPCA advises that even if dogs are left in cars parked in the shade with windows open, the interior temperature can reach 47C within an hour when it is only 22C outside. Anyone with information is urged to call Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting log number 455 of June 24.