POLICE forces across the country are to be issued with new advice after a police dog overheated and died after being left in a force car for two and a half hours on a scorching hot day.

Officers left air conditioning on in the car but the dog, one of two left in the car, collapsed and died as the temperature outside reached 26C.

The police officers were taking part in firearms training while Ivy was left in the car in June last year, during the 2018 heatwave.

The five-year-old dog was found unresponsive when the handler returned to the car.

Attempts were made to revive the dog but a vet made the decision to put her to sleep.

A post-mortem has now been conducted and West Mercia Police appointed an independent police force to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding and leading up to her death.

The results confirm that Ivy died as a result of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation, brought on by heatstroke.

Staffordshire Police has made recommendations into the handling and welfare of West Mercia Police dogs following Ivy's death.

These recommendations have been accepted and changes are being implemented as a result.

The force will also be investing in new technology that can accurately monitor temperature and humidity within vehicles.

The findings of the report are also being shared nationally with all forces in England and Wales.