AS we approach the summer, temperatures in the UK have soared in recent weeks.

It feels like only days ago the idea of turning on the central heating was a good thought.

But, now temperature have climbed to sometimes scorching levels.

No place is this more felt that when you climb in to your car, the hot air can be very unpleasant to say the least.

So, just imagine if you were forced to sit in one of those cars with no open windows and wearing fur coat.

But this is a very real problem for many dogs during the summer, with sometimes clumsy or careless owners leaving them trapped.

The heat can be fatal to our furry friends so it’s vital that new and experienced owners alike remember the facts.

The inside of cars can heat up at an alarming rate, even if you only leave the car for a short amount of time.

Just ten minutes can see a temperature rise of ten degrees while 30 minutes can see a 19°C rise, turning the car in to a sauna.

Over one house can see temperature rise by 24 to 29°C, turning the car in to a furnace.

Heat exhaustion can occur when the bodies temperature reaches 32°C while heatstroke can occur when the bodies temperature reaches over 40°C.

It is always best to bring your dog with you as even taking precautions like parking in the shade and cracking a window it’s not enough.

Dogs don’t sweat like humans and can only lose heat through panting. This means they struggle to regulate their temperature if stuck in a hot space and the effects can be deadly.

But what do you do if you see a poor pooch trapped in a hot car?

Here's everything you need to know according to experts Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

Call for the owner and alert staff if you’re by a shop

It sounds simple enough, but seeking the car's owner is always a good idea.

If you’re near a shop, inform the staff and security, they’ll be able to make a shop-wide announcement to alert the owner.

Call 999

Police actually have the authority to break a car window to rescue an animal in danger.

However, you should not attempt to gain access to the vehicle as you could be fined for criminal damage or injure the animal inside the car.

Check the doors and inform the police of your intentions

If there’s no alternative, you should first check the doors to see if the car has been left unlocked.

If you do have to break a window to save the animal make sure you call 999 and let the police know what you’re doing and take photos and videos to clearly record the situation.

You should also note down the license plate number and any witness details.

Director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, Keith Hawes, said: “It may seem like obvious advice, but we’ve all been there.

"You’re in a rush. You don’t want to go through the hassle of sorting the dog for the sake of an errand that would take twice as long with them in tow.

"But whatever your justification, at that moment, think about the potential impact.

"A problem with the lock on your car could mean that a quick trip to the post office is something you never forget.

"Dogs are members of the family, and while you’d never think of leaving a child in the car, we should never be leaving animals in there either, especially during a heatwave.”