Man banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after his three dogs died in his car as he worked out at the gym

A man is banned from keeping animals for 10 years after he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to three dogs who all died having been left in a car on a warm day earlier this year. (Image: Archant)

Jonathan Theobald, 65, had previously pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act of causing unnecessary suffering to his dogs.

Theobald, of Lincoln Road, Peterborough, was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay a total of £1,900 in fines and costs.

He had previously pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs by confining the animals in an environment which was detrimental to their well-being and led to their death.

Daisy, Mitch and Rascal - three Staffordshire bull terrier-type dogs - died from heat exposure after being left in Theobald’s Volkswagen estate for several hours on June 16 this year.

A man is banned from keeping animals for 10 years after he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to three dogs who all died having been left in a car on a warm day earlier this year. (Image: Archant)

Other gym users spotted the 65-year-old dragging the dogs’ lifeless bodies from the car and contacted police.

RSPCA inspector Justin Stubbs, who investigated, said: “When Mr Theobald returned to his car having spent a number of hours at the gym, he found two of his dogs had already succumbed to the heat. He tried to save the third dog’s life - but it was too late.”

A local vet and police were contacted and found Theobald at his home address with the dogs still inside the car. The RSPCA were then called and launched an investigation.

“Unfortunately, many people seem to be under the impression that it’s okay to leave their dogs in the car for a number of hours while they work out, go shopping or attend an appointment,” inspector Stubbs said.

“They believe the dog is better in the car than being left at home.

“This very sad story shows that the reality is that a dog left in a car faces a very probable risk of suffering, or possible death. Even on a mild day, temperatures inside a parked car can soar very quickly.

“Records show that on 16 June, the day in question, it was between 16 and 19C during the hours these dogs were left in the car - certainly not what we’d consider heatwave temperatures in England.

“But it was enough for the temperature inside the vehicle to climb to a level which killed these poor dogs.

“No matter what the excuse, there is never a good enough reason to leave your dog in a car and risk his life. I sincerely hope people will use this tragic tale as a reminder of the real danger you could be putting your dog in if you leave him in a car on a warm day.”

So far this year, the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency line has received almost 7,000 calls relating to animals left in hot environments - the majority of which are dogs in cars on hot days.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “This was a tragic, but completely avoidable incident. We remind the public never to leave dogs in cars during hot weather, even for a short period of time or with the window slightly open.

“The temperature can rise quickly with devastating consequences.”