THREE dogs were left to bake inside a sweltering car on one of the hottest days of the year.

Police had to smash the car windows to rescue the dogs while those staying in nearby caravans rushed to cool the animals off with wet towels, according to eyewitnesses.

Onlookers grew concerned for the welfare of the dogs which were locked in a car parked near Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis, on Saturday and called police.

A witness said the dogs were ‘in a terrible state’ and that one in particular looked ‘fried.’

“One of the dogs was lying on its side on the front seat with its tongue hanging out,” he said. “It looked like it had been fried. They were in a bad way.

“We were all very worried about them and kept checking on them until enough was enough and the police were called and they smashed the window.

“People who were staying in caravans nearby were very good – they came with wet blankets to cool the dogs down. They were in a terrible state.”

Officers were called shortly before 6pm on Saturday to a report of a dog in a hot car at a car park near Monmouth Beach. They forced entry to the car and found that there were three dogs inside.

The dogs were taken to the vets and returned to their owner the following day.

No arrests have been made.

Dog owners should never leave their animals alone in a car on a warm day. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, yous should dial 999.