As we are about to be treated to a few days of hot weather, the issue of people leaving dogs in hot cars will no doubt arise.
But what can, and should you do, if you spot a dog apparently sweltering alone in a hot car?
Is it legal to smash a window to get him or her out? Or would you find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
Advice from charity RSPCA says in an emergency it is best to dial 999 and report a dog in a hot car to police.
Signs of heatstroke include panting heavily, drooling excessively lethargic or uncoordinated, or collapsed and vomiting.
If the situation becomes critical and police can't attend, your instinct might be to break into the car. But without proper justification, this could be classed as criminal damage.
To avoid getting into trouble yourself make sure you tell the police of your intentions and take photos or footage of the dog, as well as names and numbers of witnesses.
The law states that you have an excuse to commit damage if you believe that the owner of the property would consent to the damage if they knew the circumstances.
Once the dog has been freed move the animal to a shaded/cool area and douse them with cool water. Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water.
If the dog is not displaying signs of heatstroke, establish how long the dog has been in the car and make a note of the registration.
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If you are at a public venue ask a member of staff to make an announcement of the situation over the tannoy, if possible, and get someone to stay with the dog to monitor its condition.
You can call the RSPCA's 24-hour emergency cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 for advice but, if a dog is in danger, dialling 999 should always be the first step.
