Puppy left in hot car on sweltering 30C day in Campbelltown, Western Sydney

A dog owner has sparked outrage after leaving her pet in a hot car.

TikTok user Bella Khoury posted a video showing the unattended dog panting in a parked vehicle on Tindall St in Campbelltown, in Western Sydney, about 4.10pm on Saturday.

“30C-plus in Sydney today and this person has left their poor dog panting and thirsty in the car while she spent over an hour in the gym,” Khoury wrote.

Khoury and her friends gave the dog water before calling Fire and Rescue NSW.

The owner was returning from a pickleball club when she was approached by Khoury.

“It’s not f***king hot, the windows are down,” the owner said.

“Let’s put you in the car for a freaking hour,” Khoury responded.

The owner replied she’d be fine and told Khoury to “get lost”.

Surrounded by Khoury and her companions, the owner then got into the car and drove off.

A spokesperson for FRNSW confirmed a crew had been on its way when it was called off after receiving reports the owner had left.

The incident was reported to police and the RSPCA, Khoury said.

Social media users expressed outrage, with many questioning how long the dog had been shut in the hot car.

“Why do they do this it’s so cruel, it also baffles me that they wouldn’t just leave the dog at home,” one comment read.

“That dog looks soaked from its own sweat,” another said.

“People need to realise that if you leave your dog in a car for 10-plus minutes, (it) can cause fatal heatstroke, dehydration, or even suffocation,” a third added.

“The temperature inside a car rises rapidly, even on mild days and with windows a little bit down.”

“30C in humidity for over an hour, with no air con, water or breeze does not justify reasons to leave an animal in a car while you do a gym session,” said another.

While it is not illegal to leave an animal unattended in a car for a short period when it’s not hot, the RSPCA strongly advises against it.

“There is no safe period for dogs to be left unattended in cars, even on cool days,” the RSPCA said.

“The best alternative is to leave your dog at home with access to shade, fresh water and shelter.”

According to the RSPCA, leaving dogs in a car could cause heatstroke, dehydration, and even brain damage.

The organisation also advises immediate action if a dog is found unattended in a hot car.

“If the car is locked and you cannot identify the owner, contact emergency services as they have the authority to remove the dog and will act quickly,” the RSPCA said.

“You could also call your local RSPCA cruelty hotline. Be sure to take down the car’s registration details.”