A Tory MP has been branded "cruel" and "irresponsible" for taking his dog out for a stroll in the sun during the early summer heatwave.
Craig Mackinlay posed with his pet pooch after saying he and his family had gone on a 40-minute, two mile coastal stroll.
But fellow dog owners slammed the MP for South Thanet, 55, for going on the walk in his constituency from Ramsgate to Broadstairs, Kent, on Saturday, when temperatures rocketed to 28C (84F).
Heading outside with a pet when temperatures are at this level goes against animal charity advice.
However, the MP insisted the conditions were "not hot" and were instead "a little cool" with a breeze and lots of shade from the cliffs above where they walked.
Mr MacKinlay was pictured in the snap, which was posted to his Twitter account, eating an ice cream with his chocolate labrador Libby.
"Lovely family day out in SouthThanet," the post read.
"Walk from Ramsgate to Broadstairs in full festival flow.
"Back home on the Loop Bus. British summer when the sun shines takes some beating."
But social media users were enraged at the MP's treatment of his pooch, with one user Angela Knight fuming: "Are you serious?
"What were you thinking, taking your dog out on a day like today.
"Perhaps you should do the walk again tomorrow with a fur coat on and in bare feet on the pavement."
Another Twitter user, Gail Debling, added: "Not only are you not very good at being an MP for our constituency.
"But taking animals out in this heat is dangerous.
"Every considerate and sensible person knows you don't take a dog out in this heat."
Craig Higgins said: "I feel for your dog in this heat and especially on roads and pavements. Be considerate."
Elizabeth Costello said: "Why have you taken your dog out in a heatwave.
"That's cruel, no responsible dog lover would do that."
Shelley Sinden said: "Too hot for the poor doggo."
One said: "Too Wuffin' hot for your dog mate."
A PETA spokesperson said: "Unlike humans, dogs can only sweat through their footpads and cool themselves by panting.
"Soaring temperatures can cause heat stress and be physically damaging or fatal."
An RSPCA spokesperson added: "Dogs need exercise, even when it's hot.
"We recommend walking your dog in the morning or evening when it's cooler to reduce the risk of heatstroke and burning their paws on the pavement."
In a response emailed to The Mirror, the MP said that while it may have been 28C somewhere on Saturday, this was not the case on the coastal path where he and Libby had walked.
“The coastal path between Ramsgate & Broadstairs was not hot; if anything a little cool with coastal breeze and shaded beneath the cliffs much of the way," he said.
"Hence I had a jumper around my neck and my daughter had leggings on under her dress.
"Plenty of doggie drink stops and a visit to a friend halfway."
He added: "Thank you for your interest and concern in my dog's welfare, much appreciated.”
