A distressed dalmatian was allegedly left in a vehicle on Sunday afternoon. The temperature in the car was likely to have reached about 60 degrees celcius — amid the sizzling heatwave.

Cops freed the poor panting pooch from the furnace-like conditions in Pavilion Road opposite Pirate Petes at about 3pm — giving it a bowl of water.

A good samaritan noticed the trapped hound inside for an hour and rang the police.

Police community safety officer Jamie Dunlop said: “This dog was visibly distressed when police attended. The animal had no access to water.

“We want to highlight the importance of looking after dogs in hot weather. The temperature inside would have been much higher than outside — causing suffering to the dalmation.

“We ask people not to leave dogs in cars at all — and certainly not for that length of time in warm weather.” A 28-year-old woman has been charged after the incident. A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We run a campaign every summer to highlight the consequences of leaving a dogs in hot cars, but some owners simply are not getting the message and we fear that they don’t fully appreciate the dangers they are putting their animals in.

“Many people might not realise that even on warm, cloudy days, cars can effectively turn into ovens and dogs can overheat in minutes.

“Leaving a window open and providing water is not enough. Being left inside a hot vehicle causes dogs to pant to try to cool down and this can lead to severe dehydration and hyperventilation which is extremely dangerous.

“Our advice is that owners should leave their dogs at home if they are going to be left in the car for any length of time at all.

Crowds flocked to Ayr beach and dived into the water to soak up the rays on Sunday with soaring temperatures hitting 29 degrees celcius.