The RSPCA received seven calls from concerned members of the public about dogs stuck in hot cars in Cambridgeshire over the May bank holiday weekend.

Across the country, the charity received 217 calls of a similar nature over the three-day period, with the most calls coming in Hampshire (17), followed by greater London and West Yorkshire (12).

The animal welfare charity records these calls as heat exposure in dogs which can include those outside who are suffering from heat, or dogs in conservatories’ or caravans, but the majority of these incidents are dogs in hot cars.

In the year to date, the charity has received 146 calls from Cambridgeshire relating to dogs in hot environments.

RSPCA campaign manager Holly Barber said: “Many people think it will be fine just to leave their pets for a minute or two but we know that this is all it takes for temperatures inside a car to soar to dangerous levels.

“Dogs die in hot cars - don’t let your pet be one of the number.

“We have been doing a lot of campaigning lately about the dangers of leaving your dog in a hot car, and it’s really worrying that despite this, some people are still putting their pets in dangerous situations.

“Our main advice to owners is not to leave dogs in cars and our main advice to passers-by is to call 999 if they’re concerned about an animal in a hot environment.”

You can call the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 for advice but, if a dog is in danger, dialling 999 should always be the first step.

For more information on what to do if you see a dog in a hot car, visit the RSPCA website: www.rspca.org.uk/dogsinhotcars.