A DOG was left to suffer in a hot car as temperatures soared in Dorset on Saturday.

Police in Purbeck said the dog was "suffering a great deal".

Officers found the owner and the dog was let out of the car before it could become seriously unwell.

The incident has prompted a warning from police that dogs should never be left in hot cars as they could easily die.

"Although the windows were slightly lowered and the dog had water it was suffering a great deal," police said.

"Officers quickly deployed and luckily located the owner before the dog needed treatment.

"Dog owners please remember 22 degrees outside can be 47 degrees inside the car in an hour.

"Please don't leave your dogs in your cars in this weather."

Advice can be found at rspca.org.uk