Dog owners are being urged to leave their pets at home during the Royal Welsh Show next week.

Visitors are not allowed to bring their beloved pooches to Europe’s largest agricultural show which runs from Monday until Thursday.

RSPCA Cymru is looking to remind owners that only assistant dogs and competing dogs are allowed on the site.

The animal protection charity said in previous years dogs have been taken to the show in Llanelwedd and left inside cars in the car parks which can be fatal for canines in the hot weather.

RSPCA inspector Phil Lewis, who will be onsite at the showground near Builth Wells, said: “We want to issue a strong reminder to people not to bring their dogs to the show and leave them in their cars.

“It’s so dangerous to leave your pet inside any hot environment whether it be a car, a conservatory or even a caravan. The temperature inside a car can soar to 47 degrees celsius within minutes, even when the outside temperature is just 22 degrees celsius and this can be fatal for a dog.

“Opening a window, parking in the shade or leaving a bowl of water for your dog isn’t enough and still leaves dogs in serious danger of suffering from heatstroke.

“Dogs are covered in fur and do not sweat in the same way as humans do. Unlike humans, dogs pant to help keep themselves cool. The effectiveness of panting is reduced at high temperatures and humidities. Cars heat up very rapidly in hot – or even warm – weather. Air-conditioning can disguise the danger that a dog will face once the engine is turned off.

“We would simply ask dog owners never to leave their pet unattended in a parked or stationary vehicle and, if the weather is warm, to leave them at home where they can access cool, shady parts of the house and lots of water.”

According to RSPCA Cymru anybody who sees a dog in a hot car, especially if it’s showing signs of heatstroke, should report it to the police - they said they may not be able to attend quickly enough and they need police assistance to gain entry to a vehicle.

The charity has said that people should only break into a vehicle to free a dog as a last resort and that they should speak to the police beforehand.

A spokesman from the charity said: "If the situation becomes critical and police can’t attend, many people’s instinct is to break into the car to free the dog.

"Please be aware that, without proper justification, this could be classed as criminal damage. Make sure you tell the police of your intentions and take photos or footage of the dog as well as names and numbers of witnesses.

"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."

Once the dog has been removed from the car, it should be moved to a cool and shaded area and have small amounts of room temperature water poured over its body - the charity said not to use cold water as it could cause the dog to go into shock.

They said to allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water, and that once the dog is cool to take it to the nearest vet as a "matter of urgency".

If the dog is not displaying any heatstroke symptoms, establish how long it has been in the vehicle and make a note of the registration.

The RSPCA said that if it is outside a building such as a restaurant or a shop, ask a member of staff to announce the situation and, if possible, get someone to stay with the dog to monitor its condition.

Owners who enjoy taking their dogs on longer walks in the hot weather should ensure they bring plenty of water for their pet and that there are shady areas on the route.

As well as staff monitoring the car park and on hand to give welfare advice, RSPCA Cymru will have a stall on avenue C to chat to visitors at the show.

You can call the RSPCA’s 24-hours emergency cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 for advice. If an animal is in danger, always call the police on 999 first.

For more information on a variety of animal welfare issues, visit the RSPCA website.