SPCA staff talked to the owner but were concerned the dog hadn't been taken to the vet yet, which could mean a prosecution.
Ms Ericsson said when responding to a call they waited as long as possible for the owner to arrive. In extreme cases, an SPCA inspector was legally entitled to break into a vehicle to free an animal.
"When the weather is so hot, you're not doing your dog any favours taking it out for a ride. Leave the dog at home, where there's shade and water," she said. Some people who left their dogs while they popped in for a quick drink or lunch just hadn't thought about their pet's welfare, she said.