Spate of dogs locked in hot cars in blazing heat sparks warning from West Yorkshire Police

In the past 24 hours, there have been 41 reports of incidents involving animals across West Yorkshire, according to the police's own animal crime unit.

Police have been called out to deal with 'a number of incidents' where dogs had been left in hot cars.

-> Warnings issued as Leeds set to sizzle in Bank Holiday Monday heatWhat you can do if you see a dog trapped in a hot car, according to the RSPCA:

*Never leave your dog alone in a car on a warm day. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, dial 999.

A spokesman said: "Many people still believe that it’s ok to leave a dog in a car on a warm day if the windows are left open or they’re parked in the shade, but the truth is, it’s still a very dangerous situation for the dog.

"A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn’t feel that warm. When it’s 22 degrees, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour.

What to do if you see a dog in a car on a warm day

"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.

"Don’t be afraid to dial 999, the police will inform us if animal welfare assistance is required."

-> Paddy McGuinness gets the beers in as motorists stuck on M62 make the best of Bank Holiday delaysHelp a dog in a hot car - what are you legally allowed to do? Can you smash the window?

"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)."

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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 the RSPCA's 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.

Elsewhere, a man in Halifax was reported for destroying a bird's nest.

A horse collapsed in the sunshine in Bradford, prompting an RSPCA callout. A spokesman for the force said: "The horse recovered of its own accord and was checked by the RSPCA who had no concerns for the animal"