What should have been a routine vet visit became a turning point in German holidaymaker Sandra W.'s Croatian holiday.
What she learned at the practice and then witnessed on the streets of the popular tourist destination Pula left her so furious that on 11th August 2025, she took to Facebook in the Rovinj Insider group to speak her mind - striking a chord with many animal lovers.
Heatwave with deadly consequences
Croatia and much of Europe were experiencing temperatures that posed dangers not just to humans but to dogs as well. Yet many owners continued taking their pets out on day trips in the scorching sun.
German tourist Sandra W. shared her experience in the Facebook group for Croatia holidaymakers: "I went to the vet today to collect tablets for my dog." There, she was asked how her pet was coping with the heat - a seemingly innocent question that revealed a shocking story.
Her response: walks only during the cool morning and evening hours. "As any sensible person should do," Sandra W. later reported in the Facebook group. What the vet told her next left her deeply shaken.
English Bulldog dies on day trip
Not every holidaymaker was so thoughtful. An English Bulldog had died shortly before because its owners had been out with it all day. As Sandra left the practice, she saw a couple sitting on the steps in tears - the owners of the deceased Bulldog. This image haunted her.
What Sandra W. then witnessed during a stroll through popular Pula left her completely stunned. Everywhere she looked, she saw the same thing: dogs in distress being dragged through the searing heat by their owners.
The four-legged companions had their heads hanging low, tongues nearly touching the ground, completely exhausted. "The animals looked utterly spent whilst their owners were busy with their phones or window shopping," she complained, asking furiously: "How mindlessly stupid can people be?"
Anyone who loves their dog should save outings for cooler hours and never forget shade and water. Summer temperatures can quickly become life-threatening for our furry friends.
