Owners are being warned not to leave dogs in sweltering cars - after five reports in just one day.

Police say owners have a legal duty of care for their animals, and are urging them to think twice before leaving them in cars in the heatwave.

On Tuesday alone police responded to reports of five different dogs left in cars in sweltering temperatures.

Of those, a dog was reported to be in a distressed state in a car at a shopping centre in Ashford at about 2pm.

The window had been left partly open at the Park Mall shopping centre, but it was not enough to cool soaring temperatures inside the vehicle.

The dog was rescued with the help of firefighters and the RSPCA.

"Dogs can die in hot cars and should not be left for even a short time" - PC Michael Laidlow

Then, at 6.45pm in Clare Road, Whitstable, police were told of a dog locked in car which had no windows open at all.

The car was gone 20 minutes later and the fate of the dog remains unknown.

Police warn that leaving a dog unattended in a car for even a short time can be fatal.

And leaving a car window open is not enough to prevent a dog from dying in the heat.

PC Michael Laidlow, rural and environmental crime officer, said: "Dogs can die in hot cars and should not be left for even a short time. Leaving a window open won't keep the car cool enough.

"Dog owners are reminded that they have a legal duty of care for their animal and can be prosecuted for putting their pets at risk."