During a three-day span, Orange County deputies and animal services officers responded to three separate incidents where pets were left in extremely hot cars. In two of the incidents, the owners were arrested.

It's an alarming trend, officials say.

"The reality of the situation is (that in) even just a few minutes, temperatures can rapidly rise and cause the animal to dehydrate, overheat and, ultimately, die," said Jordan Hodge, an officer with Orange County Animal Services.

Temperatures over the last three weeks have consistently been in the mid-90s, with heat index values pushing the feels-like temperature well into the 100s.

The agencies are reminding people that animals should not be left in cars during the summer months.

Money, a Maltese, was left in a Nissan at Disney's Animal Kingdom on Saturday. Officials said Money was unable to stand and showed signs of distress. The dog was in the car as early as noon, and a law enforcement officer removed the dog from the car later in the day. The owner didn't arrive until 8 p.m. — one hour after the park closed. Orange County Animal Services fined the owner $265.

Then on Sunday, officers rescued Simon, also a Maltese, from a truck at the Target on Town Center Boulevard. The temperature inside the truck was almost 130 degrees. The owner was arrested and fined $265.

In a third incident, a Yorkie, named Lulu, was inside a car Tuesday at the Florida Mall. The temperature reading inside the car was 120 degrees. The owner said she was only making a quick trip to the mall. The trip was about one hour. The dog's owner was arrested.

All of the owners got their dogs back from Animal Services, officials said.

Dil Luther, division manager for Orange County Animal Services, said this is a disturbing trend. 

"In this weather, it is completely unacceptable to leave a pet in a car," Luther said. "Temperatures inside the car soar, and the pet's life is in immediate danger regardless of if the windows are cracked."

In the summer months, it doesn't take long for vehicles to get dangerously hot.

If the outside temperature is 80 degrees, it only takes about 10 minutes for the inside of a vehicle to climb to 99 degrees. After 30 minutes, the car's inside temperature is 114 degrees.

Temperatures can still reach dangerous levels if the car is parked in the shade. Leaving the windows open will have little effect on how hot the car is inside.

If you are going to a place where the pet cannot come with you, officials said leave it home. The three dogs were able to recover, officials said.

"The diligence of the citizens is actually, in most cases, what can save the animal's life," Hodge said. "Much like a child, once it gets too hot for the animal to care of, it can't exactly just pop a lock and step out."