A 'FIT and healthy' dog died from heatstroke after a morning walk in the sun.

The five-year-old dog caught heatstroke when its owner took it out for a walk at 9am on Wednesday, according to the RSPCA.

The temperature at the time was 21C and the dog sadly died.

A spokesman from the RSPCA's Altrincham Cheshire Branch said dog owners are still being seen walking their pets at the hottest times, despite the heatwave sweeping across the UK.

The spokesman said: "We were informed a local dog died of heat stroke after being taken on a walk at 9am when the temperature was 21 degrees.

"The dog was otherwise fit and healthy."

Between Monday and Thursday, the centre says it had 729 calls about animals being left in hot environments.

The spokesman added: "Despite lots of warnings about the heat we still see dogs being walked to the shops, on the school run, or as soon as owners get in from work.

"We do understand the crucial nature of walking your dog, however please bear in mind that walking in high temperatures can cause serious and irreversible damage, and in some cases death.

"Yesterday the highest temperature for the day was at 4pm but this is when most of the dogs we spotted were out and about.

"It does not matter if your dog is white, young, not a bull breed or ‘used to the heat’. Please be mindful of its needs."

Dog walkers are being encouraged to look out for signs, including panting excessively, staggering or in a stupor, having seizures, have a high body temperature, its tongue could be dark or bright red, it could have sticky or dry gums, there could also be bloody diarrhoea and vomiting.