Pugs ‘cooked to death’ after being left in tent for eight hours on 34C day

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A pair of pugs were “cooked to death” after they were left zipped inside a tent for hours on a scorching summer’s day.

TJ Gregory and Sarah Henniker left their pets Millie and Tito inside the tent for eight hours in July when temperatures outside had soared to 34C.

However because the dogs were zipped up inside the tent, the temperature inside was even higher.

Henniker left the tent the couple had been living in at Martello Bay Holiday Park in Jaywick, Essex, at 9am last year and did not return until after 5pm.

After realising the animals had died, the pair wrapped them in a sleeping bag with the intention of burying them later.

However, they were challenged by security staff who alerted the authorities and moved the dogs to a secure area.

Both admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Lauren Bond, prosecuting at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, said they had been “cooked to death” and showed signs of heat stroke.

The dogs had belonged to Henniker since they were puppies and had previously been well cared for, although the couple had fed them soup and tomatoes when they were homeless.

Mark Pearson, mitigating for both, said they had never wanted to hurt the pets but accepted they should have known to come back sooner.

District Judge Timothy King said: “One can only imagine the way those animals must have suffered.

“It is a horrible way for them to lose their lives.”

The judge handed Henniker, 33, and Gregory, 28, from Clacton, 18-month community orders with 160 hours of unpaid work each.

Gregory was also given 20 rehabilitation days and they have both been banned from keeping animals for five years.

Both must also pay £390 in court charges.

Pugs are more prone to heatstroke because as brachycephalic dogs, with short, flat faces, they can struggle to cool themselves down properly.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “Dogs are vulnerable to heat stroke. Their bodies cannot cool like humans, and so heat can become dangerous very quickly.

“We’d always urge people to never leave pets in vehicles, caravans, tents, conservatories or outbuildings in the warm weather.

“Dogs – and other pets – can overheat and die if left in a hot environment. Pets should have constant access to shade, cool areas and lots of fresh water.”

Additional reporting by SWNS