Up to 90 per cent of dog's bodies are covered in hair

The seven-year-old Airdale terrier, called Feathers, collapsed near the summit of Pen yr Oleu on Saturday afternoon.

We know that when someone's dog dies or collapses because of the heat people never intended it to happen, but we will prosecute where there is evidence. Kevin Manning, RSPCA

A 999 call was made by the dog's owner and the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation attended.

Feathers, whose owners are from Manchester, was stretchered off the mountain by rescuers led by Ogwen Valley expert Chris Lloyd.

"This dog had had a two-hour car journey on a hot day and would have the same again back home," said Kevin Manning, RSPCA superintendent for Wales.

"Animals need their owners' supervision and care - just like children.

"They should be in the shade, given fresh drinking water and keep their energy low," he added.

White and light-coloured dogs and cats should also have sun cream applied to their tips to their ears and noses, if they are in the sun.

Mr Manning warned owners who cause unnecessary suffering to their animals risk prosecution.

Last week saw RSPCA officers responding to dozens of emergencies because of the heat throughout Wales.

Animals being left in cars or in enclosed sunny gardens are causing most concern from members of the public.

Possible prosecutions

"Two dozen calls a day in Wales is about average for any hot day.

"But this is day after day," said Mr Manning.

"We know that when someone's dog dies or collapses because of the heat people never intended it to happen, but we will prosecute where there is evidence.

"In this case there is no sense the man had left the dog, he hadn't predicted how hot the weather would be.

"We just say it was enough that he took appropriate action when things started to go wrong."

Anyone who is convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog under the 1911 Protection of Animals Act, faces a �5,000 fine and or six months in prison.

Owners could also be banned from having custody of animals, possibly for life.

Last year Tenby was cited as one of the worst places in Wales for dogs suffering in cars.

The RSPCA in Wales says it had received more calls from concerned members of the public than any other place in the country.