What does the law say about freeing a dog from a hot car - with advice from the RSPCA and British Veterinary Association

Police have said officers will not 'hesitate' to break a car window if they see a dog inside that is suffering as England's heatwave looks set to continue.

The RSPCA and the British Veterinary Association have both issued strongly-worded warnings to owners who may be tempted to leave their pets inside a vehicle, even if they think it will only be for a short time.

The BVA says no animal should be left in conservatories, caravans or cars when the weather is even remotely warm - warning that temperatures can rise in such environments extremely quickly.

While temperatures in England are currently tipping 30C most days, and only expected to get hotter as we go into next week, the BVA says even just 22C outside can quickly become a roasting 47C inside a vehicle well within an hour which could ultimately result in the death of a pet.

While constabularies are often reported as having swiftly freed dogs left in hot cars, the rules are slightly different for a member of the public who spots a dog alone. But with the RSPCA describing heatstroke in dogs as the 'silent killer' what should you do if you see a dog inside a car on a hot day?

RSPCA and British Veterinary Association advice

With England's heatwave set to continue into next week the RSPCA has reissued its advice on what people should do if they find a dog inside a car.

The first thing, it says, is to assess the dog's condition, and if they're showing any signs of heatstroke dial 999 straight away.

The RSPCA acknowledges, that if the animal's condition is felt to be critical, and police aren't yet on the scene, a person's instinct will be to break the car to free them. It adds: "But please be aware that this could be classed as criminal damage. You may need to defend your actions in court, so please be sure you're doing the right thing.

"Legally, you can commit damage if you believe the car owner would consent to it if they knew the dog was in danger."

If you're sure you need to free the dog using force, says the charity, it recommends first telling the police on the phone what you intend to do and why.

Taking photos and videos of the dog in distress, and finding witnesses to the incident alongside making a note of the names and telephone numbers of anyone else who is watching or helping is also advisable.

The BVA adds: "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."

Helping a dog who appears OK

If the dog doesn't seem in distress or any immediate danger you can leave them in the car, says the RSPCA, and take other remedial action instead.

This might include attempting to work out how long the animal has been inside - perhaps using any pay and display ticket on the vehicle for clues.

It's also advisable to make a note of the car's make and registration because if you feel that the owner has put the dog in danger you can still tell the police.

If you're at a shop, venue or event, the charity also advises asking staff to alert the owner over a loudspeaker. And where possible you, or someone else, should stay with the dog to monitor its condition until the owner returns, and if they get worse be prepared to call 999.

You can, says the RSPCA, also call its cruelty line for advice on 0300 1234 999, but if a dog is in danger alerting the emergency services should always be your first step.

What do I do once the dog is free?

Check if the dog is showing signs of heatstroke or is in distress. If they are, immediately follow our emergency first aid advice. This could mean the difference between life and death for the dog.