HUNDREDS of people ignored the distressed cries of a dog trapped in a hot car in a social experiment caught on film.

The three-day experiment saw just four people stop and attempt to help the fake dog, which was abandoned in temperatures exceeding 28 degrees Celsius.

Confused.com conducted the experiment. Armed with a fake dog called Annie, a car and realistic sound-effects, a camera crew set up camp in car parks and busy streets across the UK.

Throughout the entire time filming the social experiment, the overwhelming majority of passers by failed to intervene.

Amanda Stretton from Confused.com, said: “As a dog owner, the results of the experiment really did come as a surprise: we expected far more people to try to intervene and help Annie the dog.

“The temperature inside a car, even in the shade, can be exceedingly high on a warm day. Poor Annie wouldn’t have stood a chance, judging by the amount of people who ignored her distressed whines.

"Aside from the risk to your pet, there’s also a risk that concerned passers by will cause damage to your car to gain access. If you claim for this damage from your insurer, it could ultimately affect your car insurance premiums.”

Further research by Confused.com supported the findings of the experiment revealing – of drivers who have witnessed a dog left in a car – 76 per cent did not intervene, with only two per cent taking the right course of action.

Safety advice on dogs in hot cars, with tips from the RSPCA, can be found via www.confused.com/on-the-road/safety/dogs-in-hot-cars

Two per cent took a slightly different approach and took matters in to their own hands by attempting to break in to the car.

RSPCA dog welfare expert Lisa Richards said: “This social experiment has shed light on a very important issue and one that we’ve been raising awareness of through our Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign.

"If you spot a dog shut in a car on a warm day that’s showing any signs of heatstroke, you should call 999 straight away. It doesn’t even need to be a sunny day for the temperature inside a car to reach dangerous levels for a dog.”