The RSPCA has issued a warning after a dog suffered excruciatingly painful burns to her feet and ears during yesterday's heatwave.

Belle, a Staffie cross, sustained the injuries in the Gravesend area and is now being cared for by the RSPCA.

The three-year-old dog was thin when she was collected by the charity but also seemed to be wobbly when she walked.

When RSPCA inspector Rosie Russon examined her, she discovered the dog had burns to her pads which had blistered and popped - which was making it very painful for her to walk.

Belle also had sunburn on the inside of her ears and to the top of her face.

She was signed over into the RSPCA's care and was taken to a nearby vet where she was given pain relief and treatment for her burns to her pads.

Her paws were bandaged up and she will require ongoing treatment at the RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre - as well as treatment for a pre-existing skin condition and pressure sores.

Ms Russon said: “When I first saw little Belle I couldn’t work out why she was so wobbly but as soon as I looked at her pads it was obvious they were all burned.

“I don’t know if it was a result of someone walking her on hot pavements or her being outside in an area with a hard surface and no shade - but the burns were less than 24 hours old and must have happened during this current heatwave.

“It broke my heart to see how much pain she was in and how each step was causing her excruciating pain. Once the vets treated her wounds and put the bandages on she was like a different dog and you could see she had the spring back in her step.

“She’s such a lovely, friendly dog. It is so important that proper precautions are taken to keep our pets healthy and safe in the heat.

“I hope her story acts as a reminder to people to protect their pets during this hot weather. Dogs are incredibly vulnerable in the heat and the burns caused to little Belle shows how damaging it can be.

“She is now in our care and once she is feeling better and has put on some weight then we will look to find her a loving new home.”

The RSPCA has taken 191 calls with concerns for animals in the heat since Monday and is urging people to take care of their pets in the summer heatwave.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend