Warning issued to pet owners after dog rescue

Pet owners are being urged to protect their animals in the hot weather following the rescue of a dog from a hot car.

Wiltshire Police officers were called to a vehicle in Stirling Road, South Marston, to reports of a dog in distress at just before 8:30 BST on Wednesday.

The force said the dog was taken to a kennel after being removed from the car and its owner would be interviewed by police.

"A car can become as hot as an oven, even when the weather doesn't feel that warm," warned Carrie Stones from the RSPCA.

She added that a car could reach 47C within an hour while the weather outside it was at 22C.

Ms Stones said figures from the Royal Veterinary College showed the number of vets treating dogs with heatstroke had nearly doubled compared to levels before the pandemic.

Dog legislation officer, PC Paul Croft, urged people to call 999 if they saw a dog struggling.

"Leaving a dog in a car on a day like today could be fatal.

"Please do not leave your dog inside a hot car. The temperature in the vehicle will be a lot hotter than it feels outside and can cause serious injury to the animal," he added.

John Warwick, who has run Swindon & District Animal Haven for 29 years, stressed that dogs did not need to be walked in very hot weather.

"They're just as happy laying in the house. A dog's paws can get burnt on the concrete and tarmac can melt and hurt them.

"It's common sense, a lot of people worry they should always walk their dogs - but not in this weather," he said.

Mr Warwick suggested cool mats were a great way to keep a dog comfortable.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.