After the driver of an Audi left a dog in the rear despite the heat, police officers had to break their way inside the vehicle.
The black Audi was parked in a parking lot in the heart of Stevenage, and at least six Hertfordshire Police officers were seen encircling it.
The dog was rescued at around 11.30am after officers smashed a rear window and reached to remove the animal from the scorching hot car, with temperatures reaching the upper 20s.
David Stuckey, who lives in Stevenage, told MailOnline there was a crowd stood watching as the incident unfolded.
He said: ‘I was just walking back to my car and could see a large crowd of people who were stood there in disbelief.
‘Someone went shopping and left their dog inside the car in sweltering heat with no windows open. Everyone couldn’t believe it.
‘It happened at about 11.30am and it was already very warm but I don’t know how long the dog had been in the car.’
Around least 22 degrees Celsius were present in Stevenage at 11:30 this morning, according to Met Office statistics.
The RSPCA issues a warning that, even at that outside temperature, the interior of a car might reach a “unbearable 47 degrees within an hour”—temperatures that the animal welfare organization calls “extremely dangerous” and that would “suffer and injure” a dog.
Mr. Stuckey stated that he was uncertain of the dog’s breed or condition when police removed it from the vehicle and asked the public to remain their distance.
If an officer thinks a dog is in danger, they are allowed to break a car glass.
To save the animal inside, police first break the window with their baton, usually using a weapon called a glass punch.
Contrary to popular perception, dogs should never be left alone in hot vehicles, even if the windows are open or the car is in the shade.
According to RSPCA dog welfare specialist Dr. Samantha Gaines, who is part of the organization’s Dogs Die In Hot Cars campaign, “We know people love their pets and want to keep them close, but, occasionally, it may be safer to leave your four-legged pals at home.”
‘Dogs can suffer from heatstroke during hot weather and this can be extremely dangerous, and even prove fatal.
‘We’re calling on pet owners to put the welfare of their dogs first this summer. If you’re heading out and about then consider whether your pet may be happier in the cool at home, only walk them during the cooler hours of the day, and never leave your dog in a car unattended on a warm day.’
According to PDSA, it is not illegal as such to leave a dog in a hot car, but 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.
Hertfordshire Police and the RSPCA have been contacted for comment by MailOnline.