A DOG owner, from Cradley Heath, narrowly escaped going to prison following the death of her pet Tilley, who died from heat exhaustion after being left in a car on Tesco’s car park, Dudley, on a sweltering hot day.

Jade Savory, aged 21, of Sidaway Street, has been banned from owning dogs for five years for causing unnecessary suffering to the animal during last July's heatwave.

Dudley magistrates found the case proved in her absence and sentenced her to 14 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and costs of almost £1,500.

After the hearing an RSPCA spokesman said: "There is no excuse for leaving a dog in a car during hot weather and we are pleased that this disqualification sends out a clear message and we hope that other people will learn from this."

He added that Savory had been in the store to return an item but apparently had not heard any of the tannoy announcements. The police were called and officers took the dog to a vet but Tilley could not be saved.