A Florida police officer came to the rescue of a dog in distress inside a hot vehicle Tuesday.
The incident happened at about 4:45 p.m. when Clearwater police responded to a report of an animal in distress in a car in a Pier 60 parking lot, WTVT-TV reports. When officers reached the scene, they found a pit bull in the back of a vehicle, with the windows only open about 2 to 3 inches.
Outdoor temperatures were around 90 degrees, and the windows weren't open enough to provide proper airflow. According to the officers, the dog was panting and appeared to be falling asleep.
The vehicle's owner wasn't immediately available, so one of the officers shattered a window in order to unlock the door. The other officer then pulled the dog out of the vehicle. A police body camera captured the rescue.
The dog was quickly given water by the officers. Water had been in the car with the dog, but it was only a small amount and warm to the touch.
The dog's 40-year-old owner told officers she had left the dog in the car so she could go to the beach. She thought the water would be enough, and the dog had been in the car for up to 40 minutes.
The woman faces animal cruelty charges in the incident.
