POLICE in Hereford say are being called to more reports of dogs being left in hot cars.

West Mercia Police said that as temperatures rise, it was seeing a rise in phone calls to such incidents, with "many" in the last two weeks.

As temperatures climb towards 30C in the city, with an extreme heat warning issued by the Met Office for this weekend, police have issued a warning to pet owers.

PCSO Harry Quinlan-Prior said temperatures inside cars rises rapidly in a very short period of time.

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He said that while a dog will pant to regulate its body temperature, when they are left in a hot car this isn't enough.

"If they are left for a period of time the dog can dehydrate, develop heat stroke and in some situations even die," he warned.

He told dog owners to not leave their pets in cars on hot days, and to either take it with them or leave it at home.

He told anyone who comes across a dog or animal in a hot car that they should first establish the health condition that the dog is in and if it is displaying any signs of stress, heat stroke or not responding.

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They should then call 999 immediately and ask for police.

"Time is key in these situations," he said.

Last summer, police officers had to break into a car parked in Hereford to rescue two dogs suffering heat stroke.

Temperatures in the locked car, which was parked underground in Tesco Bewell Street, still reached 30C with police warning they will take action if they see other dogs suffering.

The dogs had been in the car for 90 minutes, and officers at the scene used a thermometer to check the temperature inside the car – 29.5C.

"We will take action to protect a dog in distress," they said at the time.

"Entry forced and two dogs checked over by a local vet with signs of a mild heatstroke but recovered well with some fresh air and water."