TWO dogs have been rescued from a sweltering car by police who said the temperatures inside left officers struggling to breathe.

A police officer and a community support officer were forced to smash the window of the red Kia vehicle in the car park of York Hospital to pull the two black labradors to safety on Monday afternoon.

An investigation has now been launched by the RSPCA, which is looking after the animals.

Officers from York City Police said on Twitter: "PC1810 and PCSO 3680 have just rescued two dogs from a vehicle where the owners had left them for over half an hour in a car in the blazing hot sun.

"The window was smashed and the owners will be prosecuted by @RSPCAYORK.

"There is no excuse for this, I am utterly appalled."

The officer said: "Officers were in that car for 30 seconds and were struggling to breathe so goodness knows what these poor animals were going through.

"Do not leave you dog in a hot car on a sunny day! How many warnings do you need?"

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "We were called to York Hospital car park yesterday afternoon to reports of two dogs left inside a stationary car.

"When we arrived police had already removed two Labradors from the vehicle.

"The dogs were taken to the vets for treatment for heat exhaustion and now remain in RSPCA care.

"An investigation has been launched so we cannot comment any further at this time."