Gardaí are investigating after a dog reportedly died after being left in a car in sweltering temperatures at the Bloom festival in Dublin last week.

Officers were called to the Phoenix Park during the festival last Friday afternoon, after passers-by raised concerns about a dog that had been left in a car without water or the windows opened.

The dog’s owner was attending the Bloom garden festival at the time and temperatures soared to over 18 degrees throughout the day.

A Garda spokesman said the dog was taken to the vet, however, the Sun reported it died from dehydration.

Gardaí in Blanchardstown are now investigating a case of alleged animal cruelty, the spokesman said.

Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, a person can be fined up to €5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to six months for animal cruelty.

For more serious offences, penalties of up to €250,000 fine and up to five years’ imprisonment can be imposed.