In Tampa, Florida, New Smyrna Beach Police Department officers rescued a dog on Sunday that had been left in a locked U-Haul while its owners went to the beach.
According to the video and the police report on Facebook, the dog had been inside of the vehicle with the windows “cracked only slightly” for about an hour before a Good Samaritan spotted the disturbing incident and reported it to authorities.
the temperature outside at that time was 86 degrees with no cloud cover, meaning the temperature inside the vehicle was likely 100 degrees of more.
New Smyrna Beach PD Facebook
The police cam shows one of the officers giving the dog some bottled water through the slightly opened window. Another officer approached the dog and offered the pooch a Slim Jim snack.
The window was open enough for one of the officers to reach in; fortunately the pooch was very friendly and obviously thankful for being rescued from the intense heat of the vehicle. The dog was removed and transferred to the Southeast Volusia Humane Society.
Charges of animal cruelty and neglect are expected to be filed against the owner of the dog. The owner reportedly faces a first-degree misdemeanor charge of confinement of an animal without sufficient food, water or exercise – abandonment of animals.
According to the Humane Society, even if the temperatures outdoors registers 72 degrees, the interior of a car can heat up to 116 degrees within an hour. Such heat exposure can kill a dog or cause irreversible organ damage.
And as the summer begins – PLEASE do not leave you dog locked inside of your vehicle – even for a short time.
Check out the video:
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