An animal charity today urged people not to leave their pets locked in sweltering cars.

The warning comes after an RSPCA volunteer was forced to call police when she spotted a German Shepherd panting in the back of a parked car in Shoebury.

When the owner was still missing 40 minutes later, the volunteer called the police.

She said: "I saw the driver get out and leave the dog.

"Saturday was a really hot day and in no time, the dog started to get distressed and was panting heavily. The RSPCA does not have power to break into cars but police do, so I called them."

Before police arrived, the dog's owner returned to the car parked in West Road.

Windows had been left open slightly, but even so, the RSPCA estimates it could have reached 120 degrees farenheit inside.

The volunteer added: "Animals should never be left in cars in hot weather - whatever the circumstances. When it's really hot, an open window just isn't enough."

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