Heartbreaking moment police smash campervan window to rescue Golden Labrador which was 'locked inside a campervan with windows closed for three days'

A Golden Labrador was reportedly left locked inside a campervan before police smashed open a window to rescue it. 

Officers from Greater Manchester Police attended a call at around 1.15pm on Sunday afternoon after concerns were raised for the welfare of the dog trapped inside the vehicle.

Reports suggested there were no windows open and that no people had been seen in or around the van since it had been abandoned. 

Temperatures reached up to 23C in parts of Manchester on Sunday, according to the Met Office.

Officers at the scene broke the window to the campervan to rescue the dog, who is now being cared for in a rescue centre whilst attempts are being made to trace the owners.

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A Golden Labrador was reportedly left locked inside a campervan before police smashed open a window to rescue it

Police attended a call at around 1.15pm on Sunday afternoon after concerns were raised for the welfare of a dog in a vehicle

Reports suggested there were no windows open and that no people had been seen in or around the van since it had been abandoned

Chief Inspector of Neighbourhoods in CoM Central Chris Boyd, said: 'It is just not acceptable to allow a dog to be in a vehicle on their own for even a couple of hours.

'When we found him, there were no open windows and, with it being quite warm today, this could have ended up a disaster. 

'Dogs don't respond to the heat like humans do and as such, this lovely dog could have overheated.

'Even leaving a window open or a bowl of water is not good enough. Just don't leave your dog on it's own in a vehicle. 

'If you are planning on being away from your vehicle, then don't take the risk and leave your dog at home.'

Scientists have previously warned that leaving dogs in parked cars can be dangerous all year round, even in the winter when outside temperatures are relatively low. 

Dog welfare experts at Nottingham Trent University monitored internal temperatures of cars in the UK, without dogs inside them, every day for two years, reports from 2020 reveal. 

They found temperatures exceeded 77°F (25°C) in every month of the year – high enough to cause overheating in breeds with flat faces, such as bulldogs and pugs.  

Annual campaigns highlighting the risk of dogs dying in hot cars typically begin in May but need to start earlier in the year, they said. 

Between 2010 and 2019 the RSPCA received almost 70,000 calls about animals and heat exposure, most of which related to dogs in hot cars. 

Just 20 minutes in a car that is too hot can cause heat stroke, which kills one in seven dogs diagnosed with the condition. 

Most dogs are comfortable at temperatures between 59°F and 77°F, but this is dependent on breed, coat length, fitness and other factors, the researchers said. 

Dogs should never be left alone in cars, as even just a few minutes trapped in the stifling heat can be fatal. 

This article has been amended since initial publication to remove a statement put out by Greater Manchester Police that the Labrador had been in the car for three days