Moment police officers smash window of parked car to rescue Shih Tzu locked inside as temperatures hit 26C
- Nottinghamshire Police rescued the dog parked in a Nottingham car park
- Staff for the NET tram service called police after they saw the Shih Tzu barking
- The window was open a crack but the dog collapsed by the time police arrived
- Owner has been invited to a police interview and the RSPCA are investigating
Police bodycams have caught the moment officers rescued a ‘distressed’ and barking Shih Tzu by smashing in the window of a sweltering hot car.
Officers were called to a car park in Nottingham after the dehydrated dog was seen panting and barking for help in the locked car as temperatures hit 26C in the city on Monday afternoon.
The owner left a window slightly open but officers arrived to find the poor small black Shih Tzu was overcome by the heat and had collapsed.
After a call from tram staff, Nottinghamshire Police arrived at the NET tram park & ride just in time to save the dog’s life.
Officers were called to a car park in Nottingham after a dehydrated Shih Tzu was seen panting and barking for help in the locked car as temperatures hit 26C on Monday afternoon
‘Come on. Come on pupper’: A Nottinghamshire Police officer picking up the poor dog after he was locked in a hot car
PC Jamie Martin, of the Broxtowe response team, said: ‘Firstly, I would like to thank staff at NET Nottingham Tram for alerting us to this incident. Had they not done so, it is unlikely the dog would have survived.’
An officer smashed in the window then opened the door of the silver hatchback at just after 2.20pm on Monday, August 8.
The panting dog was then picked up by the concerned officer, who said: ‘Come on. Come on pupper.’
He then carried the Shih Tzu to shade and a colleague gave the dog water from a bottle.
Police then rushed to a local pet hospital on blue lights where vets recorded his temperature at 39.1C.
The dog is now making a good recovery and the owner has been invited to attend a police interview. The case is also to be referred to the RSPCA.
With temperatures in excess of 30C expected in Nottinghamshire this week, dog owners are once again being reminded not to leave their dogs in hot cars – even with the windows slightly open as was the case in this incident.
PC Jamie Martin, of the Broxtowe response team, said: ‘Firstly, I would like to thank staff at NET Nottingham Tram for alerting us to this incident. Had they not done so, it is unlikely the dog would have survived.
‘Many people think it’s OK to leave their dog in the car on a warm day providing the windows are open. But this incident shows that just simply isn’t the case. Put simply, you should never leave your dog alone in a car on a warm day.
‘Whilst it is not illegal to leave a dog in a hot car, owners are legally responsible for their pet’s health and welfare.
‘If a dog became ill or sadly died due to being left in a hot car, owners could be charged with the offence of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
‘This could lead to a prison sentence and/or a fine.’
The dog was taken to shade by police officers and given water
‘If a dog became ill or sadly died due to being left in a hot car, owners could be charged with the offence of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006,’ said PC Martin
According to the RSPCA, cars can become as hot as an oven, even when the weather doesn’t feel that warm. The charity says that when it’s 22C outside, the car could reach 47C within an hour.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘As sweltering temperatures continue, it’s more important than ever to spread the message that dogs die in hot cars.
‘Many people think it will be fine just to leave their pets for a short period of time, but not long is too long. Temperatures can soar to dangerous levels so quickly – and that can put dogs in serious danger.
‘If someone sees a dog in distress in a hot car, we urge them to dial 999. It’s really positive to see forces like Nottinghamshire Police, and others across England and Wales, taking action when dogs need their help in these potentially fatal situations.’
Nottinghamshire Police said that if you see a dog in distress in a hot car, please dial 999.
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