THREE dogs survived being left in a hot car without water for two hours.

Mark Agyeman-Anane has been ordered to pay a total of £10,000 by Brighton magistrates after being caught causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs in Portslade on August 10, 2020.

The dogs, which were called Prince, Dior and Caramel, survived the ordeal.

The 27-year-old denied the offences but was found guilty at Brighton Magistrates Court.

Court documents state he caused unnecessary harm by leaving the dogs in a hot car for two hours without access to water and failed to regularly check on their welfare.

Agyeman-Anane, of Grove Road, Hastings, was given a community order and ordered to pay £10,000 in compensation by Friday, August 5.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the compensation will go towards kennel fees.

As part of a rehabilitation activity requirement, Agyeman-Anane must attend appointments, or participate in any activity as required up to a maximum of five days by July 7 next year.

He must also carry out unpaid work for 120 hours within the next 12 months. 

He was disqualified from having custody of a dog for a period of five years.

He was found not guilty of a charge of possessing or having custody of a fighting dog on the same date in Portslade under section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, namely a Pit Bull terrier called Caramel. Court documents say the charge was dismissed.

In June, police issued a warning after officers from Adur and Worthing were forced to smash the window of a car to rescue a dog.

The dog had been left for more than an hour, prompting a police spokesman to remind the public that “dogs die in hot cars”.

“The dog enjoyed a wet towel and a few licks of a bowl of water,” he said. “We are happy to report that the dog was OK however the vet stressed this easily could have had a different result.

“Not long is too long. Parking in the shade or leaving windows open cannot protect your dog. Please leave them at home.”

If you see a dog in distress, call 999 immediately.

More information on what to do if you find a dog in a hot car can be found on the RSPCA website.