A FIGHT broke out in a supermarket car park after dogs were discovered in a hot car.

Two women were involved in the incident in the car park of Lidl, London Road, Hadleigh at about 2pm on Wednesday after a concerned resident went to the rescue of the pets.

The dogs were crying and the woman was desperate to help them and even went into the supermarket for help.

One of the women, a dog owner aged 46 from Rayleigh, said: “My partner and I were assaulted at 2pm in Lidl Hadleigh car park.

“We heard distressed Poodle type dogs in a car, crying and panting.

“We went back into Lidl and asked if they could put a callout for the owner of the car as the dogs were distressed.

“I managed to get some water to them through a small gap in the window but after waiting some time and becoming increasingly concerned I rang police to see if I was allowed to break window.

“I was awaiting an answer when the owner returned, at least 30 minutes after the dogs were discovered.

“The owner hit my partner with her car door and then hit me with the bottle of water and slapped me across the face, and drove off.

“She was an elderly lady and said something about not having anyone to look after the dogs.

“I am angry that she left the dogs in the car for that time.”

Angry residents took to Facebook to comment on the incident and it caused fury with dog lovers.

Claire Spencer said “What is wrong with people.

“Simple don’t take your dog shopping.”

Pat Attridge said: “Who were the animals then, can someone tell me. Was it the ones in the car with four legs or the ones returning to the car with two legs.

“I think I know the response from most people.

“The animals were the ones outside with two legs.”

Michelle Maddison said: “How can people leave their dogs in cars with this warm weather, it’s just so cruel.

“There needs to be laws protecting these poor dogs.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were contacted shortly before 2.15pm on Wednesday, August 8 with reports of a disturbance involving three people in a car park in London Road, Hadleigh.

“We have spoken to the parties involved and enquiries are ongoing.”

A counter claim of assault is understood to have been made.

A spokesman for Lidl said the store wasn’t aware of the incident.