WORCESTERSHIRE'S dog warden is insisting that dog owners are cool not cruel to their pets during the heatwave.

Pip Singleton, of Worcestershire Regulatory Services, fears that people will leave their dogs in their cars this summer, which could lead to a horrific and painful death.

She said: “It’s like putting your dog in an oven and turning the temperature up – the suffering is horrendous for them yet despite all the messages being put out social media, we are still getting calls about it."

Other top tips for animal care in the hot weather include providing shade for pets outdoors, topping up their water and walking them on grass not tarmac.

The Worcestershire dog warden added: “Pets have no voice so owners need to be responsible.

“If you are hot then odds on they are too. And you wouldn’t sit in a car in these temperatures, even with the windows open, for more than ten minutes – so why should they?

“Be cool not cruel and have a happy dog – not a hot dog.”