- Animal welfare experts are urging dog owners not to leave pets in hot vehicles during the extreme weather, warning that cars can be "death traps" for canines.
- The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( RSPCA ) advises the public to contact the police if they spot a distressed dog inside a car .
- Lauren Bennett, animal welfare expert at the RSPCA , said: “The RSPCA does not have the legal power to enter a vehicle to rescue an animal in distress - only the police have the power to do this.”
- She stressed the importance of calling 999 as soon as possible, adding: “Every second really does count in this situation and it’s vital to get the animal out of that environment and safely cooled down as soon as possible.”
- It comes after the mercury hit a record-breaking high for June in the UK on Wednesday.
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