FOI 558/25 Dogs Left in Cars

Date: 16/06/25

Enquiry Reference:  558- 25                                                             

I write in connection with regards to your Freedom of Information request. Below is your request and our response.

The number of reported incidents relating to dogs being left in a hot vehicle AND/OR The number of animal cruelty incidents relating to dogs being left in a hot vehicle

- Any supplemental data the force has with regards to numbers of incidents of dogs left in hot vehicles in your jurisdiction.

The data should cover the years 2014-2025 broken down by month.  Within this please include geographic information as well as the type of vehicle.

Answer

Due to the nature of our recording systems the information requested, if held, is not in an easily retrievable format. Our information retrieval process generally relies on a computer ran report which captures any information recorded upon the surface of a record. Where relevant information is held deeper in a record a manual assessment is usually required to retrieve that information. In this instance the number of reported incidents relating to dogs being left in a hot vehicle AND/OR the number of animal cruelty incidents relating to dogs being left in a hot vehicle is not a specified incident type therefore, to determine such detail would require a manual search through all the records, a time-consuming process which would initiate the excess cost exemption.

If you are not satisfied with this response or any actions taken in dealing with your request, you have the right to request an independent internal review of your case under our review procedure. The Freedom of Information Code of Practice (see below link) states that a request for internal review should be made within 20 working days of the date on this response or 40 working days if extenuating circumstances to account for the delay can be evidenced. Public authorities are not obliged to accept internal reviews after this date.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-code-of-practice

Yours sincerely

Information Rights Decision Maker