A dog owner in West Lothian has been left devastated after her dog passed away from brain damage brought on by heatstroke.
Laura Kyle, from Livingston, saw recent hot temperatures have a heartbreaking impact on her three-year-old French Bulldog, Betty after she passed away last week.
With forecasts reporting highs of well over 20C, Laura had taken both Betty and her other dog Frank out for a short walk in the countryside near their home.
After returning home, both of the dogs had appeared to be fine and well, however within just hours Betty had deteriorated rapidly.
Originally a rescue dog, Laura noticed Betty becoming unresponsive and limp, before rushing her to a local vets to be examined.
Tragically, the vet quickly realised that the French Bulldog had suffered severe heatstroke which had caused devastating brain damage, reports the Daily Record.
Put to sleep later the same day, Laura has now urged other dog owners to not make the same fatal mistake.
Speaking about her loss, she told the Daily Record:
"I was so close to her, I loved my dog so much, my dogs are the only things that keep me going.
"It's cause she was a wee rescue dog with cherry eyes, and that made me love her even more.
"I've had her for about two and a half years, and she had a few owners before me and I don't understand why because she was amazing.
"It's totally scarred me for life, she was such an amazing wee dog with so much love to give and she will be very sadly missed.
"When I first got her, I could tell she was terrified of life, she would cower away and didn't even know her name, her claws were so big she could barely walk.
"It's just absolutely gutting."
With hot temperatures reaching as high as 24C to continue this week, Laura pleaded with dog owners to constantly check their dogs throughout the day.
She said: "There was no warning signs at all, she jumped out the car and she was completely fine when I brought them back home.
"I had gone out and when I came back, I found her lying limp so I immediately put a wet a towel round her.
"I phoned the vets and they said to bring her in straight away, and they put her on a drip but they said it was too late.
It was heartbreaking.
"I loved her with all my heart, and never thought that taking her for a walk would lead to this."
