Couple admit leaving dogs in car

The couple were on holiday in Blackpool at the time of the incident

A holidaying couple who left their dogs in a car on a hot July day have received a conditional court discharge.

Frank and Elizabeth Crombie's two pet spaniels were just "minutes from death" when police smashed the window with a battering ram to release the animals.

The couple, from Stirlingshire, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs on the trip to Blackpool.

They were given a two year conditional discharge and each ordered to pay £300 costs by magistrates in Blackpool.

The dogs, which were trapped in temperatures of 55 degrees, were saved by emergency medical treatment from a vet following the incident, on 18 July.

They were given oxygen, cold showers and intravenous drips.

A few more minutes delay and these animals would have died Sarah Hayland RSPCA inspector

Mr Crombie, 50, and his 48-year-old wife, from Plean, went to Blackpool as a treat for their son, who had been in hospital.

They claimed they were unable to place their dogs in kennels because of the short notice.

Jonathan Fail, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the spaniels had been put in cages covered by blankets in the Crombies' people carrier, which had been left in a car park.

He said "It was the vets opinion that the dogs had suffered intolerably because of the thoughtlessness of their owners and that the animals were very lucky to survive."

The RSPCA felt that the Crombies, who paid the vet's bill, had learned their lesson and were allowed to return home with their dogs.

Chris Capaldi, defending, said of the couple: "Their minds were on their disabled son. This was a case of thoughtlessness rather than intent."

After the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Sarah Hayland said: "A few more minutes delay and these animals would have died."