The dogs, eight puppies and their canine mother, were found in various stages of heat distress in a West Houston backyard by officials, according to local news outlet Fox 26 Houston on Wednesday. The date of the incident was not reported.

Five of the puppies had died due to the conditions, while the remaining three and their mother were transported to the Houston SPCA’s Animal Medical Center.

Adam Reynolds, chief of Animal Cruelty at Houston SPCA, told Fox 26 Houston that it is against state law to leave a pet to fend for itself and “can quickly lead to deadly consequences with this blistering heat if you don’t check on your outdoor pets regularly.”

The Houston branch of the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) warned of “dangerous heat” this week and issued an excessive heat warning for some regions on Wednesday due to expected temperatures greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit—one of multiple heat warnings in the state recently.

The NWS said the heat could cause heat-related illnesses in those who do not have A/C and advised people to drink plenty of water, limit outdoor activity, and check on family and pets.

The five dog deaths reported above are not the only cases of pet fatalities due to heat this summer.

Animal rescue nonprofit group Houston SPCA published a news release in June after two dogs died of heat distress in Northwest Houston and Southeast Houston. Again, both of the animals had been left outside in what was described as “sweltering heat.” They were not provided with access to water, food, or shade. The incidents were being investigated as animal cruelty cases.

At that time, the Houston SPCA said it had also answered 24 heat-related calls and investigated three more deaths due to heat distress in the previous seven days.

“Unfortunately, many more of these types of calls are expected, so the rescue and protection organization is putting out an urgent reminder to pet owners,” the group said.

“Bring your pets inside during extreme temperatures when possible; Know where your pets are during the heat of the day. As the sun shifts, the shade may no longer be adequate; Check on them often. Water can evaporate when it’s hot outside, and pets can tip over water bowls, leaving them without proper hydration.”

The group also asked anyone who sees an animal in distress in the area to call Houston SPCA at 713-869-7722.