A man has been fined more than £6,500 after he left his dog in a car in South Mimms on one of the hottest days of the year, leaving the animal fighting for its life.

Michael Haye, of Fraser Road, Walthamstow, appeared at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 17, where he pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty offence.

The 39-year-old was disqualified from having a dog for 10 years and ordered to pay compensation of £6,504.77 for kennel and vet costs.

He was also given a community order with a requirement to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months.

Officers were called to reports of a Rottweiler trapped in a car at the Premier Inn in Swanland Road, South Mimms, at 12.52pm on Monday, July 18, last year.

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Before police arrived, the member of the public who had reported the incident managed to help the dog, opening the unlocked door and providing it with water.

The dog was clearly in distress and foaming at the mouth. He was doused in water and driven to the Royal Veterinary College, where vets found he had a temperature of 42° and was in a life-threatening state.

Despite taking a turn for the worst later on that day, the dog made a full recovery and is in the process of being rehomed.

Haye was located at the hotel and it was believed that he had fallen asleep.

He was arrested and taken to custody. During questioning, he told officers that he had left the dog with some water, but this consisted of a bottle of water and a dog bowl which was found bone dry and too hot to touch.

"On the date of the incident, we were experiencing extremely hot weather and the Met Office had even issued a warning. The temperature was around 38°," said Detective Sergeant Mikey Logue.

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"The poor dog was so weakened that he had to be picked up out of the car and lifted into a police vehicle as he couldn’t walk.

"When officers left the vets, they were informed that he had taken a turn for the worst. Thankfully, he pulled through, but it was very close to being a different outcome.

"We are very pleased with the result of this case and I hope it is reassuring to the public.

"As we approach summer, this incident serves as an important reminder to pet owners about the dangers of leaving dogs in vehicles in hot weather.

"They can quickly become dehydrated, develop heat stroke, and die. Even if you park in the shade, the temperature can still rise to dangerous and fatal levels. Please do not risk it."