Dog walker jailed after dogs died in hot car
Professional dog walker Christine Anne Carpenter has been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison after two dogs died when they were left in a car during a hot summer’s day in 2021.
Carpenter, from Ringwood, Hampshire, had previously pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.
The professional dog walker had left Poppy and Pixie in a car outside her home on 21 July 2021 – a day when temperatures reached more than 28 degrees centigrade, the RSPCA said.
The 11-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel Poppy and five-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel cross Staffordshire bull terrier Pixie, were “dead in the boot of a car on arrival at the surgery”, RSPCA inspector Jo Story said.
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.
“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.”
Carpenter, who had operated a commercial dog walking business since April 2018, admitted she’d left the two dogs in the car, facing the direction of the sun with no shade, for a period of time while she collected her phone, had a drink and used the bathroom.
“This was an incredibly hot day and any professional should have known that having these dogs anywhere near a car, even with the windows open, was a bad idea,” District Judge Anthony Callaway said during sentencing.
“People expect their dogs to be cared for, that clearly didn’t happen here. This was a gross breach of trust.”
Carpenter was also banned from keeping any animal for eight years by West Hampshire Magistrates’ Court when she appeared for sentencing on Friday 25 March. She must also pay a £128 victim surcharge.
