The number of reports of dogs being left in hot vehicles from 2020 to 2024
8 May 2025
Our Ref: FOI2025/03007
REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 Ref No: FOI2025/03007
I write in connection with your request for information received on 7 April 2025. I note you seek access to the following information:
Request
I write in connection with your request for information received on 15 April 2025. I note you seek access to the following information:
The number of reports received by your force about dogs being left in hot cars, broken down by year, from 2020 to 2024.
If recorded, how many of these reports specifically mentioned high temperatures or concerns about heat.
The number of incidents where police officers attended the scene.
The number of cases that resulted in enforcement action, such as warnings, fines, or prosecutions
Response
I am required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.
Following your request, searches were conducted at Hertfordshire Constabulary for information relating to the above
Incidents relating to Dogs left in Vehicles January 2020 - December 2024
|
Year / Month |
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
October |
November |
December |
|
|
|
2020 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
6 |
11 |
18 |
17 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
2021 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
14 |
10 |
10 |
14 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
2022 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
14 |
15 |
13 |
17 |
31 |
7 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
2023 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
10 |
9 |
27 |
11 |
19 |
13 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
2024 |
2 |
3 |
|
5 |
12 |
13 |
10 |
13 |
6 |
4 |
|
5 |
|
|
Total |
13 |
10 |
21 |
39 |
50 |
78 |
66 |
90 |
48 |
23 |
6 |
10 |
|
"Please Note: It has not been possible to isolate those where specific mention was made of heat or the weather.
In many cases, where a call is made to the control room - the weather conditions would be known to both Caller & Call-handler and so would be implicit.
In some instances, the concern of the Caller is the cold conditions and the dog's safety."
Animal Welfare Act 2006, Causing, permitting or failing to prevent unnecessary suffering - related Offences
|
Outcome |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Type 1 - Charged/Summonsed |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
Type 15 - Named Suspect - Evidential Difficulties |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Total |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
The numerical data presented in this response is an un-audited snapshot of un-published data sourced from "live" systems and is subject to the interpretation of the original request by the individual extracting the data.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter please do not hesitate to contact me quoting the above reference number.
Yours sincerely
Information Rights
Hertfordshire Constabulary provides you the right to request an independent review of this response under its review procedure. If you require such a review, you must notify us within two months from the date of this letter. After lodging a complaint with Hertfordshire Constabulary if you are still dissatisfied with the decision, you may make an application to the Information Commissioner. For information on how to make a complaint please visit their website or contact them on 0303 123 1113.