Driver reported to RSPCA after dog rescued from car in Doncaster on hottest day of year

The dog was rescued from a sweltering car at Lakeside Village.

Police were called to Lakeside Village yesterday after a member of the public raised concerns about a small dog spotted struggling on the back seat as the sun blazed down.

A spokesman for Doncaster Central Neighbourhood Police Team said: “On hot days, please leave your dogs at home and don't take them shopping and then leave them in the car.

"After reports from a concerned member of the public we found this car at Lakeside. A small dog was panting on the back seat.

"The owner of the car had left the window down slightly, enough for us to reach in and unlock the door, but not enough to provide proper ventilation for his pet.

"Luckily for him he's avoided a broken window, but he has been reported to the RSPCA who will follow up the incident.

“The dog was checked over at the scene and thankfully found to be OK.”

Yesterday saw millions of people head to beaches, parks and pub beer gardens to enjoy the sunshine as the Bank Holiday weekend brought the warmest weather of the year and blue skies for much of the UK.

Monday saw the hottest day of the year so far, with Northolt in west London recording a temperature of 24.8C and Kinlochewe, in Scotland's northwest highlands, seeing a high of 25.1C, the Met Office said.