Officers rushed a little dog to the vets after they found it locked in a vehicle along Southend seafront in the blistering heat.

Police are urging owners not to leave their pets in their vehicle amid the heatwave after officers rescued a dog from a locked vehicle in Southend.

Three officers were on foot patrol along the seafront on Friday (July 8) when they discovered the little dog locked in the car.

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They rescued the pet and took it to a nearby vets for treatment.

A spokesman for Essex Police in Southend said on Facebook: "PC's Wiseman, Taylor and Barnes were on foot patrol along Southend seafront (and) came across this little dog that had been locked in a vehicle in the blistering heat.

"They rescued the dog and took it to a local vets to receive treatment.

"Please, please, please do not leave your dog in your vehicle when it is hot, even with the windows open a small amount, they can quickly become unwell in the heat."