STAFF and visitors at Borders General Hospital have been warned about leaving dogs in cars after numerous offenders were spotted in the on-site car park.

A distressed member of staff contacted the Border Telegraph after emails and posters were circulated around the hospital urging drivers to stop doing this.

The email identified the offenders by their number plates and demanded they refrain from leaving their pets in the car for long periods of time.

Meanwhile, local animal welfare groups have warned that in a parked car, it only takes 10 minutes for a dog to suffer a fatal level of heat stroke, and die.

The BGH worker said: "It really upsets me that so called animal lovers would treat their pets so cruelly. Today [Monday] my car temperature gauge read 25 degrees, that is torture for a dog to endure.

"You wouldn't leave a child in a car and you would be charged for neglect if you did, so why doesn't the same apply for a dog?

"They are committing animal cruelty."

She explained that police have previously been involved but understands that this is difficult matter to monitor because offenders can only be caught by a chance passer-by noticing the animal in the car.

A spokesperson from Borders Pet Rescue was keen to urge the dangers of this behaviour: "In a car, it would take 10 minutes for a dog to overheat to the point of no return and die.

"Even an open window would not allow an adequate amount of air to circulate. They will suffer from heat stroke very quickly. The temperature in a closed car rises very rapidly, even you don't think it feels warm.

"If you really have to leave your dog in the car, make sure it has plenty air, shade and water - but I wouldn't risk it. Especially with it coming into summer, our advice would be don't leave your dog in the car at all."