Animal welfare bosses are warning dog-owners that leaving their pets in cars in the hot weather can be a killer.

The RSPCA says many motorists fail to realise that leaving animals without enough fresh air or shade to keep them cool can result in death.

Douglas Davidson, the RSPCA's chief inspector for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, said that in many cases people simply do not use their common sense when leaving pets in vehicles.

On hot days cars can become like greenhouses, with temperatures reaching over 100F.

He said: "Dogs have fur coats they cannot remove and they cannot sweat like us humans so they get much hotter.

"People seem to think that leaving windows down makes dogs immune to the heat but fatalities occur with windows down and with water inside the car.

"In most cases these are loved family pets so my message is 'don't risk it'. It's stupid and thoughtless." FACT FILE: Leaving windows ajar makes little difference to the temperature inside the car - with the sun shining through the glass it can top 100 degrees

The only way dogs can lose heat is by panting or through their paws, so they get hot very quickly

If the police or the RSPCA find a dog suffering inside a car they have the power to release the animal by whatever means they feel necessary

People who leave dogs in cars can face prosecution. There is a maximum fine of £5,000 or imprisonment

Dogs left in cars can be taken away from owners and owners can be banned from keeping animals for life

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