WITH

temperatures topping 34c this week in parts of the UK, Skoda is asking drivers with dogs to ‘paws for thought’ to stop their pets suffering in the heat.

It is supporting the RSPCA’s Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign which highlights an 800 per cent rise in enquires and an even larger rise in social media hits on the issue.

There are more than 8.5 million pet dogs in Britain, and last year the RSPCA received 7,187 calls about animals left in ‘potentially life-threatening hot environments’ — most of them dogs. The RSPCA, rspca.org.uk, says owners should never leave a dog alone in a vehicle and always keep windows open, or use air conditioning while driving.

Skoda’s facelifted Octavia (left) out this week from £17,195, features a dog accessories range.