RSPCA investigating after dogs left in extreme heat at Salisbury North without shade or clean water

The RSPCA has issued a warning to pet owners about looking after pets in extreme heat as dogs were found left outside without water or shade in the northern suburbs.

The RSPCA is investigating a Salisbury North home after dogs were left without shade or clean water in the extreme heat. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

The RSPCA is investigating the living conditions of three dogs left outside in extreme heat at Salisbury North on Monday.

Concerned neighbours on Hissar Ave raised the alarm after hearing the dogs’ distressed barks, looking over the fence to find they had been left alone in the yard without clean water or suitable shade.

“We were just out here and we could hear them yelping and crying and panting a lot,” Candice Barrie told 7News Adelaide.

“The dogs had water, they had food, but the water was hot, absolutely hot and black, it was black and green,” another neighbour, Emieliah Campbell, said.

They wasted no time alerting animal welfare services with two animal rescue officers – from Penfield Gardens animal shelter Willow Wood Sanctuary – arriving to inspect the property.

Unfortunately cases such as this are not uncommon with the RSPCA often seeing animal cruelty reports spike on days of extreme heat.

“We find it astounding the number of people who do not seem to understand the huge risk for animals if they overheat or become dehydrated, and we have very real concerns when we get (extreme weather) forecasts,” RSPCA Head of Animal Welfare Andrea Lewis said.

“The same consideration for human safety on these hot days should be given to the animals in our care, and also to wildlife that could benefit from heat-related issues.”

With SA’s week long heatwave only just getting started, the RSPCA urged pet owners to make sure their animals have shade and access to multiple sources of clean, fresh water throughout the day.

Animal welfare officers have given the owner 24 hours to improve their pets’ living conditions.