Weather: Knebworth's DogFest cancelled due to extreme heat

Due to the dangers of the heat for dogs, organisers announced with "heavy hearts" that this weekend's festivities will not be going ahead.

DogFest organisers took to its social media channels and said: "It's with heavy hearts that we are announcing the cancellation of DogFest this weekend at Knebworth House.

"We have been working closely with the Met Office who are predicting temperatures in excess of 27°C.

"These conditions are not in the best interests of dogs and our number one priority is that everyone who comes to DogFest has a safe and enjoyable visit.

"We appreciate this is not the outcome you expected, but rest assured we will be in touch with next steps for our ticket holders shortly with regards to refunds."

DogFest 2022 (Image: DogFest)

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DogFest is not the only organisation concerned for our furry friends during the heat.

RSPCA issues advice

So far this week the RSPCA has seen a 77 per cent rise in people visiting its advice pages about how dogs can die on hot walks.

Amid fears that some pet owners may still be caught unprepared by this sudden heatwave, the RSPCA has renewed its plea for animal lovers to take heed of its tips on how to protect animals in hot weather, preventing animals from suffering or even death.

Esme Wheeler, RSPCA dog welfare expert, said: "While the majority of us would never leave our dogs in a car on a hot day, or even take our dogs for a really long walk in the heat, many people may still be putting their dogs at risk even on a short walk, or by taking them to places such as fields and beaches with little or no shade.

"The truth is, walking dogs in hot weather can be a silent killer.

"We have long campaigned about the risk of dogs dying in hot cars, but this year we’re highlighting that dogs die on hot walks too.

"The message remains very simple - never leave a dog in a hot car because 'not long' is too long, and when it comes to walks, 'if in doubt, don’t go out'. Sharing this message this week could help save a dog’s life."

RSPCA has issued advice to dog owners as temperatures soar (Image: RSPCA Woodgreen)

Following seemingly endless rain over the summer months, many regions of the UK have been experiencing climbing temperatures this week, with the sunshine forecast to continue into next week. 

Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: "High pressure is situated to the southeast of the UK, which is bringing more settled conditions and temperatures well above average for the time of year.

"While the highest temperatures are expected in the south, heatwave conditions are likely across much of England and Wales especially, with parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland also likely to see some unseasonably high temperatures.  

"An active tropical cyclone season in the North Atlantic has helped to amplify the pattern across the North Atlantic, pushing the jet stream well to the north of the UK, allowing some very warm air to be drawn north.

"It’s a marked contrast to much of the meteorological summer, when the UK was on the northern side of the jet stream with cooler air and more unsettled weather."