Despite hot heat and health concerns, dog show organizers were chastised for holding their outdoor event yesterday.
Temperatures reached 29 degrees Celsius, prompting the RSPCA to issue health warnings and the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning for severe heat in Dorset.
At the event, owners and their dogs were spotted being forced to hide behind marquees without air conditioning.
Prior to the dog show, furious and concerned neighbors and animal specialists voiced their fear for the dogs’ welfare while participating amid a heatwave.
‘We are all set to welcome you tomorrow to our first Open Show & the Championship Show on Saturday,’ the organizers said on Facebook on Thursday. The program has NOT been canceled!!!
‘There’s a beautiful cold wind blowing and lots of covered spaces.’ We’ll also have some refreshing water baths for your pets (or you, if you like!).’
Angry pet owners flocked to the comments section to call the event “stupid, selfish, and irresponsible.”
‘There is now an Amber Warning from the Met Office of Extreme Heat of 36 degrees, maybe it won’t be as hot, years ago I almost lost a champion dog at a Welsh KC Championship Show from heat exhaustion,’ one commented. I’d never take a dog out in this heat for a piece of cardboard again.’ ‘Dogs may still suffer from heatstroke even in the shade, and if the shade is in the shape of marquees, there will be no wind in them,’ observed another.
‘It is up to the individual whether or not they take their dog, but putting your dog in danger for the sake of vanity and ego by perhaps winning a showing class is simply sheer folly and selfishness!’
‘Absolutely outraged the Bournemouth Dog Show is going on in this heat,’ said a third.
‘I hope there will be animal welfare and veterinarians on standby to cope with any possible calamities.’ And please don’t look at me, those tents are like furnaces no matter how many flaps are open.’ Under significant scrutiny, the dog show sought to clarify its stance, stating that “the show is not on asphalt” and that “cold baths” are available on-site for animals attending the event.
Meanwhile, several social media users defended the dog exhibition.
‘Shows go on all the time in Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Africa, and so on,’ one observes. As many others have already said, everyone knows their own dog.
‘Don’t go if you don’t want to!’ Don’t criticize those who attend or the hardworking committees who put on these performances… they do it for free!’
‘There is one very easy response to people who believe it is wrong: simply don’t attend and let everyone else to have the common sense to keep their dogs cool and comfortable, as I have observed at previous exhibitions,’ another remarked.
‘Worry about the pet owners strolling their dogs on the sidewalks, worry about pets kept in hot homes – not folks who are accustomed to dealing with their dogs’ care at all times!!!!!’
‘We’re disturbed to hear of dog exhibitions going place during the heatwave and would advise organisers to prioritize the safety of dogs and consider relocating or canceling,’ said Esme Wheeler, canine welfare specialist at the RSPCA.
‘The hot weather has gone from magnificent to severe, and we can’t emphasize enough how important it is for pet owners to take the issue seriously.’
‘That includes minimizing or eliminating walks, taking only necessary vehicle trips, keeping water accessible at all times, and providing moist, cool cloths and mats, as well as frozen goodies.’
‘We’re still receiving complaints of dogs being left in vehicles, and we’re seeing a lot of dogs being brought to crowded outdoor events like festivals, exhibitions, and fetes, as well as to the beach.’
‘Don’t be that person who drags their panting dog down the street or plods around a show.’ Please leave them at home, where they will be safe.
‘Knowing how to prevent heatstroke and spot the signs of heatstroke in pets could be a matter of life and death, so we’re urging anyone with a pet – whether it’s a dog or cat, a rabbit or guinea pig, or even chickens, horses, and exotic animals – to set aside some time today to read up and make plans.’