UK weather: What should I do if I see a dog in a hot car?
Temperatures could hit 29C in parts of the UK this week, and while it may be nice for us ahead of summer, for our four-legged friends the heat can be deadly.
Brits are set to see the warmest spell of the year so far, the Met Office has said.
The forecaster has revealed temperatures of 24C or 25C are forecast on Monday (April 28), and they will rise each day until a peak on Wednesday (April 30) or Thursday (May 1) of 28C, with a small chance of seeing 29C.
Temperatures will be 'markedly higher' than what they should be for this time of year, as at the end of April it is usually about 12C in the North and 16C in the South, so some areas could be more than 10C higher than the average.
There will also be widespread sunshine, with only the northern parts of Scotland expected to see some rain.
The RSPCA has previously warned dog owners about the 'silent killer' that is heatwaves.
And they've issued another warning to people who may be thinking of leaving their dogs in the car during this Spring sunshine.
The RSPCA says: 'Many people think it's ok to leave their dog in the car if they're parked in the shade or the windows are open.
'But a car can become as hot as an oven, even when the weather doesn't feel that warm.
'When it's 22 degrees Celsius outside, the car could reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour. It's very dangerous and will cause your dog suffering and harm.'
What should I do if I see a dog in a hot car on a warm day?
If you are out and see a dog in a hot car who seems to be struggling, the RSCPA has the following advice: 'First, assess the dog's condition. If they're showing any signs of heatstroke dial 999 at once.
'If the dog's condition is critical, and the police haven't arrived yet, your instinct will be to break into the car to free them. But please be aware that this could be classed as criminal damage.
'You may need to defend your actions in court, so please be sure you're doing the right thing. Legally, you can commit damage if you believe the car owner would consent to it if they knew the dog was in danger.
'If you're sure you need to free the dog, tell the police what you intend to do and why. Take photos or videos of the dog. Are there any other witnesses? Take their names and telephone numbers.
'Don't be afraid to dial 999. If it's an emergency, we may not be able to get to you - and the dog - quickly enough. And as we have no powers of entry, we'd need to ask the police to help us rescue the dog. Don't worry - the police will soon let us know if the dog needs our help.'
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