Warning after PC found guilty of cruelty

The Blue Cross has issued a warning to pet lovers after a policeman was found guilty of animal cruelty.

PC Mark Johnson left two German Shepherd dogs to die from heatstroke in his car in temperatures of 29.3C (84.7F).

He was parked at Nottinghamshire police headquarters when it happened, in June last year.

Johnson had denied the charge, claiming he had forgotten about the dogs as he was suffering from depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.

A spokesperson for The Blue Cross says “This was a tragic case that touched all animal lovers, but sadly dogs overheat and die in cars every year.

“This case should be a warning to all those who travel with their dogs - failure to protect them from the heat can lead not only to a legal sentence but a lifetime of guilt if the worst should happen.

“Dogs should never be left unattended in a car in the warm weather, even with a window open. It's simply not worth the risk."