Bodycam captures police officers smashing window to save distressed dog locked inside car during heatwave

Look, we've all heard the advice but clearly, it needs to be reiterated, don't leave your dog in the car on a hot day.

Someone didn't get the memo because one poor pup was left stranded Monday, 8 August, at a park and ride in Nottingham as temperatures turned up to 33C.

Police captured the incident on camera, approaching the panting pooch and promptly smashing the window to free him.

Upon recovering the dog from the car, he was taken to a shady area to cool down, while officers poured water on him.

The black dog was then rushed to a vets, where his temperature was recorded as 39C.

Luckily, the dog has made a full recovery and the case was handed over to the RSPCA.

But, PC Jamie Martin of the Nottinghamshire Police spoke out about the incident: "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."

While it's not yet illegal to leave a dog in a hot car, as Jamie says 'owners are legally responsible for their pet’s health and welfare'.

The PC went on to note: "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 RSPCA has previously said that cars can become as hot as an oven in sweltering temperatures and that when it's even just 22C outside, the vehicle could become as hot as 47C.

A spokesperson for the charity issued a stark warning for pet owners: "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."