Disgust as dogs left tied to cars for hours in Sea World carpark

Dogs were left tied to cars for hours at Sea World. Photo / Supplied

People visiting a Gold Coast theme park over the weekend were left horrified after spotting dogs tied to cars while their owners had fun inside.

The Gold Coast Bulletin reported there were four separate incidents of dogs being found tied to cars in the Sea World carpark on Sunday.

However, a Sea World spokesperson told news.com.au they received only two reports of dogs being tied to cars.

In one case, a small poodle was photographed tied to a car, left with a blanket, half a KFC burger and chips. A paper container of water and some dry dog food were also left out for the animal.

The dog was reportedly left there for more than two hours, with a passer-by noticing the animal just before noon.

A member of the public alerted security staff who managed to contact the owners.

The family reportedly told staff they couldn't leave to get the animal for half an hour.

"I know it's not an extremely hot day today, but the dog has been left on the hot tar," the woman who found the animal told the Bulletin.

"It's clearly trying to escape the heat by getting shade from underneath the car.

"It's not right."

Temperatures reached 24.4C on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

Another dog that was allegedly reported to staff was left in the back of a ute tray for over three hours.

A Sea World spokesperson told news.com.au incidents like this rarely occurred at the park.

"We were reported to two incidents of dogs in our carpark on Sunday, and our team were monitoring them while trying to get in contact with their owners," the spokesperson said.

"This is not something which happens regularly at our theme parks, however we would encourage people to leave their pets at home when visiting our properties.

"Our team are trained to call the RSPCA or emergency services if they spot an animal in distress in our carparks."