IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners have been criticised for leaving their pets in boiling hot cars in Dorset over the last week.

The RSPCA and Dorset Police have received countless calls since the beginning of July from worried members of the public.

They had spotted dogs suffering as the temperature rocketed to 90 degrees in some parts of the country.

And with the high temperatures expected to continue this weekend, dog owners are being warned about the dangers.

Dorset Police received at least 23 calls between July 1 and July 9 of dogs locked in hot cars. Some nine calls were made on Monday alone.

Nationally, the RSPCA said it received around 350 calls about animals trapped in hot cars and sadly some died.

RSPCA superintendent Martin Marsh said: “People just aren’t listening. Leaving a window open simply isn’t enough, and in-car temperatures rise quickly, even if it’s cloudy.

“What people need to realise is that the next animal to die in a hot car, conservatory or outbuilding could be their pet – that’s how serious this is.”

Supt Marsh added: “Leaving a dog in a hot car has the same kind of effect as putting it in a microwave.

“They are literally cooked alive, in what is a horrible death.”

The temperature inside a car can soar to 47 degrees within 60 minutes when the outside temperature is just 22 degrees.

What to look out for?

DOGS that are old, young, short nosed, long haired, overweight or heavily muscled are more at risk, as well as dogs with certain diseases.

Temperatures in air-conditioned cars can reach the same temperature as outside within just five minutes of the air conditioning being turned off.

Heat stroke can result in coma or death in extreme instances.

Owners worried that their dog may be suffering from heatstroke should move them to a cooler spot before calling the vet.