Woman informed ‘give me my canine earlier than I punch you’ in B&M row after ‘pet left in sizzling automotive’
A woman was left ‘shaken’ after a man allegedly threatened to ‘punch her in the face’ during a furious row at a B&M store in Lichfield, over claims a dog was left inside a car in 30C-plus heat during the heatwave
Police are probing a heated dispute at a Midlands B&M store following allegations that a dog was left in a car during sweltering 30C+ temperatures.
Dramatic footage captured the altercation at the discount retailer’s Lichfield branch at Imperial Retail Park, near Eastern Avenue, amidst the red alert heatwave last Wednesday (June 24)
A woman in her 30s, who claimed to have rescued the dog from the car, was reportedly left “shaken” after a confrontation with a man – who identified himself as the dog’s owner – and threatened to punch her in the face.
The man “reportedly became aggressive and abusive”, according to Staffordshire Police.
During the row, he was heard repeatedly shouting “give me my dog” after another shopper accused him of having “committed a crime”, reports Birmingham Live.
The woman was heard asserting she had “liberated” the dog after allegedly discovering it inside “a van in 34C heat”.
The man retorted, stating: “I haven’t committed any crime. The window was open.”
He was heard to say: “Give me my dog or I’ll lose my s***. Give me my dog you weirdo before I punch you in the face.”
Staffordshire Police has initiated an investigation into the incident following being called to the store and being shown the footage.
A spokesperson for the force: “We’re appealing for information after a woman was verbally abused after taking action to help a dog allegedly left in a hot car.
“The victim, a woman in her 30s, had spotted the dog in a car on the car park of Imperial Retail Park, Lichfield, at around lunchtime on Wednesday.
“She took the dog into a nearby store which was air-conditioned, before alerting staff.
“The owner of the dog then reportedly became aggressive and abusive.”
The police stated that officers were summoned to the shop around 1pm.
They added: “We spoke to the victim and staff members before reviewing CCTV footage from the store at the time. The woman was left shaken but unhurt.
“We’re keen to speak to anybody who saw what happened or anyone who may have relevant dash-cam footage.
“RSPCA advice is that, even if dogs are left in cars parked in the shade with windows open, the interior temperature of the vehicle can reach up to 47C within an hour, even if the weather is only 22C outside.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to get in touch with the police by dialling 101 and quoting log number 455 of June 24.
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