Woman given suspended jail term, banned from owning pets after leaving two dogs in hot car for five hours
SEE THE VIDEO: The RSPCA has rescued a dog near death, after it was left inside a hot car for five hours. The owner received a suspended prison term. WARNING: Images may upset
A WOMAN who left her two Maltese terriers inside a hot car for five hours outside an Adelaide hospital has received a suspended prison term and been banned from owning pets.
Karan Thompson was visiting her daughter at the Lyell McEwin Hospital in March 2016, when she left the dogs inside her red Ford sedan parked outside.
It was only the vigilance of a passer-by who noticed the distressed dogs that allowed one to survive the ordeal, RSPCA chief inspector Andrea Lewis said.
Ms Lewis said the RSPCA and police were immediately called and helped smash the car’s window to rescue the animals.
“Their quick thinking saved the life of Zoe, one of the dogs. Tragically it was too late for the other dog, who died from severe heat stroke,” she said.
RSPCA inspectors who rushed to the scene initially did not know if Zoe would pull through.
Suffering severe heat stroke and unconscious, Zoe was wrapped in a wet towel in a desperate effort to bring her temperature down.
Ms Lewis said RSPCA inspectors were “shocked at how much heat was coming off the dog”, which was hot to touch and moments from death.
Thompson, 68, pleaded guilty in Elizabeth Magistrates Court to two counts of ill treating an animal to cause death or serious harm in relation to the March 10 incident, and a further count of ill treating one of the animals at her Elizabeth Vale home in the months prior.
She was this week handed a prison term of two years and three months, however that sentence was suspended on the condition that she enter into a 12-month good behaviour bond.
Thompson was also banned from owning or caring for any animals until further order, and must pay almost $3,500 compensation for veterinary and legal fees.
Ms Lewis said the dog which died had already suffered neglect by Thompson in the months before the incident.
“The dog that died was also neglected in terms of dental issues, matting, and skin conditions. It was a tragic sight,” she said.
Zoe, who has now fully recovered and found a new home after being adopted from the RSPCA’s Lonsdale shelter, which Ms Lewis said was a “reminder that some happiness can come out of such a tragic situation”.
Ms Lewis said the case highlighted the dangers posed to dogs left in confined spaces even on days not considered hot for an Adelaide summer.
“On this day it had rained and reached a maximum of 29 degrees, demonstrating that leaving animals locked in a car can prove fatal, even in relatively mild weather conditions,” she said.
Anyone who sees an animal locked in a vehicle or that they believe is in distress is urged to call the RSPCA’s 24-hour animal cruelty hotline on 1300 477 722.