RSCPA plea to dog owners after car deaths in Ringwood

As reported, professional dog walker Christine Carpenter has been jailed after a court heard she killed two of her clients’ dogs by leaving them in her car on one of the hottest days of the year.

The animals - a King Charles Cavalier named Poppie and a cross called Pixie - were dead 'within minutes', as temperatures reached 29 degrees centigrade outside on July 21, 2021.

• Read more: Dog walker jailed after two dogs die in car in 29C

Jo Story, an inspector for the animal welfare charity, was tasked on July 22 last year to investigate the incident which happened outside Carpenter’s home in Ringwood.

Inspector Story began her investigation by speaking to vets, who confirmed that Poppy and Pixie were dead in the boot of a car on arrival at the surgery.

The vet who was presented with the bodies of the two dogs by Carpenter said in their statement: “A woman, who was the dog walker for the two dogs, came in with Poppy and Pixie, both of whom were deceased and in rigor mortis, both noticeably warm to the touch. She was in floods of tears and in some degree of shock.

“It was an extremely hot day outside. I was asked if they were dead, I immediately took them out to the back of the practice to confirm they were deceased.

“The dog walker who brought them in told me they hadn't been walking; they simply went to the stream to paddle. She told me she went to the toilet no more than five mins and returned to both dogs not moving in the car.

Christine Carpenter was jailed after letting two dogs die in hot car. Picture: Solent News

“The owners of the dogs came in ten minutes afterwards, also in shock. All were very upset.

“We then gave the dogs a more thorough examination. It was noted that their temperatures were 43 degrees celsius at least as the thermometer went off the scale.”

Speaking after the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Jo Story added: “This is a tragic case in which two dogs sadly lost their lives. Our thoughts are with Poppy and Pixie’s owners.

“Many people think something like this will never happen to them so we hope this saddening case reminds people that the risk to the lives of animals is so high.

“We’d plead with people to never leave a dog in a vehicle even for a moment, especially during hot weather.”

District Judge Anthony Callaway sentenced Christine Carpenter to 18 weeks imprisonment and disqualified her from owning any animal for eight years.