Staffordshire Police are investigating after a woman was left ‘shaken’ when a man allegedly threatened to ‘punch her in the face’ during a furious row
Police are investigating a heated altercation at a Midlands B&M store following allegations that a dog was left inside a vehicle in temperatures exceeding 30C.
Striking footage captured the confrontation at the discount retailer’s Lichfield branch at Imperial Retail Park, near Eastern Avenue, during the red alert heatwave on Wednesday, June 24.
A woman in her 30s, who claimed she had removed the dog from the car, was reportedly left “shaken” following a confrontation with a man — believed to be the dog’s owner — who was heard threatening to punch her in the face.
The man “reportedly became aggressive and abusive”, according to Staffordshire Police.
During the altercation, he was heard repeatedly shouting “give me my dog” after another shopper alleged he had “committed a crime”, reports Birmingham Live.
The woman was heard stating she had “liberated” the dog after allegedly discovering it inside “a van in 34C heat”.
The man responded, insisting: “I haven’t committed any crime. The window was open.”
He was also heard saying: “Give me my dog or I’ll lose my s***. Give me my dog you weirdo before I punch you in the face.”
Staffordshire Police has now launched a formal investigation into the incident.
A force spokesperson told BirminghamLive: “We’re appealing for information after a woman was verbally abused after taking action to help a dog allegedly left in a hot car.
“The victim, a woman in her 30s, had spotted the dog in a car on the car park of Imperial Retail Park, Lichfield, at around lunchtime on Wednesday.
“She took the dog into a nearby store which was air-conditioned, before alerting staff.
“The owner of the dog then reportedly became aggressive and abusive.”
The force stated officers were summoned to the shop at approximately 1pm.
It continued: “We spoke to the victim and staff members before reviewing CCTV footage from the store at the time.
“The woman was left shaken but unhurt.
“We’re keen to speak to anybody who saw what happened or anyone who may have relevant dash-cam footage.
“RSPCA advisc is that, even if dogs are left in cars parked in the shade with windows open, the interior temperature of the vehicle can reach up to 47C within an hour, even if the weather is only 22C outside.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the force by calling 101 and quoting log number 455 of June 24.
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