SPCA Canterbury is reminding dog owners not to leave dogs inside parked cars after responding to multiple  incidents where animals were placed in serious danger during warm conditions.

The organisation said reports of dogs being left in hot vehicles continued to come in, despite ongoing public warnings about the risks.

In one recent case in Christchurch, SPCA inspectors were called to a parked car where a dog was found inside as temperatures climbed rapidly.

SPCA Canterbury said the temperature inside the vehicle had reached more than 49 degrees, while it was about 28 degrees outside.

“The owner had cracked the windows, believing this would make the car cool enough,” the organisation said.

In another recent incident, inspectors again removed a dog from a hot vehicle after the owner left the animal with a bowl of water inside the car.

“This owner had left their dog with a bowl of water, also thinking this ensured the dog’s safety,” SPCA Canterbury said.

“The dog had knocked over the water bowl and was luckily removed from the car by our team.”

SPCA Canterbury said cracking windows or leaving water inside a car did not prevent dangerous temperature increases and could give owners a false sense of security.

“The only way to ensure their safety is to leave them safely at home, with a friend or family member, or bring them outside the car with you,” the organisation said.

SPCA Canterbury urged the public to take the warning seriously, saying dogs could suffer severe distress or die in a short period of time when left in vehicles during warm weather.

The organisation has shared further advice online to help educate dog owners about the dangers of leaving animals in cars.