A 'fit and healthy' dog died after being taken for a walk in the sun during a heatwave.
The five-year-old animal caught heatstroke when its owner took it out at 9am on Wednesday in Altrincham, Trafford.
The temperature at the time was 21C.
The RSPCA has renewed its warning about taking pets out in sweltering heat,
For the past five days, temperatures have rocketed in Manchester amid a UK-wide heatwave.
Despite numerous warnings, the RSPCA Altrincham Cheshire Branch said dog owners were still seen walking their dogs at the hottest times of the day.
Between Monday and Thursday, it said it had 729 calls about animals being left in hot environments.
A representative from the RSPCA branch said: "This morning we were informed a local dog died of heat stroke after being taken on a walk at 9am when the temperature was 21 degrees.
"The dog was otherwise fit and healthy.
"Despite lots of warnings about the heat we still see dogs being walked to the shops, on the school run, or as soon as owners get in from work.
"We do understand the crucial nature of walking your dog, however please bear in mind that walking in high temperatures can cause serious and irreversible damage, and in some cases death.
"Yesterday the highest temperature for the day was at 4pm but this is when most of the dogs we spotted were out and about.
"It does not matter if your dog is white, young, not a bull breed or ‘used to the heat’. Please be mindful of its needs."
Dog owners are being encouraged to look out for the signs of heatstroke.
These could be panting excessively, staggering or in a stupor, having seizures, have a high body temperature, its tongue could be dark or bright red, it could have sticky or dry gums, there could also be bloody diarrhoea and vomiting.
Any dogs that may be suffering from heatstroke, the RSPCA advise, should be taken to a cool shaded area and a vet should be called immediately.
To bring its temperature down gradually the charity also advises to douse them in cool, not cold, water – giving them a little to drink – until the dogs breathing begins to settle.
