Small dog left in Range Rover outside Aldi

At least three pets were photographed locked inside vehicles when temperatures soared to above 32C.

Amy Ovington was at St Michael’s Retail Park when she noticed a small dog barking inside a white Range Rover. 

While the car's window was left “slightly open”, Amy said the temperature on her dashboard was 32C.

Amy noticed the dog was left trapped inside the car while their owners shopped

Amy said: “I hate seeing this happen, it makes me so upset. I didn’t leave my car until the owner came back, just incase something bad happened to the dog."

She said she pulled up and noticed the dog straight away. "The dog was barking a fair bit. The window was open but my car said it was 32C."

She said the owners came out of Aldi around ten minutes later. 

"It was two men. The younger man was fanning himself because of the heat," she said.

According to the RSCPA, Amy did the right thing. The official advice if you see a dog in a hot car is to monitor their condition.

If the animal begins to display signs of distress or heatstroke, be prepared to call 999.

A spokesman said: “In an emergency, we may not be able to attend quickly enough and with no powers of entry, we’d need police assistance at such an incident.

“Do not be afraid to call 999, the police will inform us if animal welfare assistance is required.”

If the situation becomes critical for the dog and the police are too far away or unable to attend, your instincts may be to break into the car to get the animal out.

In this situation, the RSCPA advises to tell the police what you intend to do and why. Under the Criminal Damage act 1971, you have the lawful excuse to commit damage if you believe that the owner of the property would consent to the damage if they knew the circumstances. 

Sadly, this was not the only incident spotted by residents of Basingstoke during the warm period.

A spaniel was photographed in a black car in Festival Place while a dog was pictured left in a vehicle outside The Food Warehouse at St Michael’s Retail Park.

While in Newbury, a Yorkshire Terrier was rescued from a car after being left in the locked car while temperatures soared to 34C.

A member of the public smashed into the car's window at Newbury Retail Park as two PCSOs arrived to take the animal to safety. Watch the video below. 

What you should do if you see a dog in a hot car

This advice has come directly from the RSCPA.

• Establish the animal's health and condition. If they're displaying any signs of heatstroke dial 999 immediately.
• If the situation becomes critical for the dog and the police are too far away or unable to attend, many people's instinct will be to break into the car to free the dog. If you decide to do this, please be aware that without proper justification, this could be classed as criminal damage and, potentially, you may need to defend your actions in court.
• Make sure you tell the police what you intend to do and why. Take pictures or videos of the dog and the names and numbers of witnesses to the incident. The law states that you have a lawful excuse to commit damage if you believe that the owner of the property that you damage would consent to the damage if they knew the circumstances (section 5(2)(a) Criminal Damage Act 1971).

If the dog isn't displaying symptoms of heatstroke

• Establish how long the dog has been in the car. A 'pay and display' ticket could help.
• Make a note of the car's registration. If the owner returns, but you still feel the situation was dangerous for the dog, you may still report the incident to the police.
• If you're at a shop, venue or event ask the staff to make an announcement to alert the owner of the situation.
• If possible, get someone to stay with the dog to monitor their condition. If they begin to display signs of distress or heatstroke, be prepared to dial 999.
• You can also call our 24-hour cruelty line for advice on 0300 1234 999. However, if the dog's in danger, dialing 999 should always be the first step.