PAM FISHER'S HEATWAVE TRAGEDY IN DRINGHOUSES: YORK DOG WALKER CAUSES DEATH OF TEDDY

Pamela Fisher, a professional dog walker from Dringhouses, York, has been convicted of causing the death of a dog named Teddy by neglect during a severe heatwave. Born around 1963 and residing on Chaloners Road, Fisher’s actions have led to a tragic incident that has drawn significant attention from animal welfare authorities and the local community.

On August 11, 2022, during a day when temperatures soared to 33°C in York’s shade, Fisher was responsible for walking Teddy, a cocker spaniel, as part of her routine dog walking service. The owner of Teddy had arranged for Fisher to pick up the dog, walk him, and then return him home while she was at work. However, the day took a tragic turn due to Fisher’s negligence.

According to court reports, Fisher had initially confirmed to Teddy’s owner that she had taken Teddy along with other dogs for a walk. When she returned home at approximately 6:10 pm, she was contacted by the owner, who inquired about Teddy’s whereabouts. Fisher initially claimed that Teddy was out on a walk with the other dogs. It was only later that she admitted she had forgotten to bring Teddy back and that the dog had been left inside her van for several hours.

Fisher’s oversight was compounded by her decision to continue with her day, which included a visit to her hairdresser. It was only when she realized her mistake that she contacted the authorities, but by then, it was too late to save Teddy. The dog had succumbed to heatstroke, a condition that can develop rapidly in hot weather, especially when dogs are confined in vehicles.

The RSPCA prosecutor, Phil Brown, described Fisher’s conduct as “grossly negligent,” emphasizing that her failure to care for Teddy resulted in extreme suffering and ultimately his death. Brown stated, “We cannot say how much the suffering was. It was extreme, though for a short time we hope.” The court was informed that the cause of death was most likely heatstroke, with a vet’s statement confirming that dogs can die within an hour of developing this condition in hot weather.

Fisher’s defense presented testimonials and documents attesting to her good character, which the judge acknowledged, noting her “impeccable” character and lack of prior convictions. Despite this, she was held accountable for her negligence.

In her interview with an RSPCA inspector, Fisher explained that she had a standard order for delivering the dogs she walked that day. However, she admitted that the order was changed for some reason, leading her to forget Teddy’s return. She had operated her dog walking business for over seven years but decided to close it permanently following this incident.

Following the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Claire Mitchell highlighted the dangers of leaving dogs in hot vehicles, especially during heatwaves. She stated, “Fisher had confirmed that she’d forgotten to drop Teddy off back at his owner’s and he’d been in the back of the van for five hours. The temperature that day was 30°C. We hope this tragic case reminds people that the risk to the lives of animals is so high. Our message is simple: never leave a dog in a hot car – ‘not long’ is too long, and if you see a dog in a hot car, call 999 immediately.”

Fisher was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. She was also ordered to pay £400 in prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Additionally, she is banned from transporting or dealing with dogs commercially for three years, a ban that will expire in March 2026.