Police officers smashed the window of a car parked outside a department store in order to rescue a dog inside during the recent heatwave.
Stockport neighbourhood officers, PC James Zammit and PC Harry Maule attended after the alarm was raised by staff at the John Lewis store in Cheadle, Stockport.
Temperatures had reached 29c and the animal had been locked inside the vehicle with all the windows shut, and with no water, for around half an hour.
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“The animal was clearly distressed and panting heavily, so we decided it was best to smash the car window and rescue the dog – it was then seized under the Animal Welfare Act and the owner spoken to" PC Zammit said.
The dog was taken to a vet who said it was in 'good health' and would have no lasting issues, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said. Following an investigation, no further action was taken and the dog returned to its owner the force said.
However, with temperatures expected to soar again this weekend, they have now issued a warning to pet owners to take care of their animals in the hot weather.
Stockport District Chief Inspector Clare Ryle said: “Preservation of life is core principle of policing and that extends to animals and I would like to commend James and Harry for their quick thinking and decisive action that may have saved this dog’s life.
"Neighbourhood officers on the Stockport West team cover the Cheadle, Bramhall, the Heatons and Reddish areas with a focus on dealing with burglary, dangerous driving and drugs matters, which is what the public have told us they are most concerned about.
"On a daily basis they are out and about in their area and deal proactively with whatever they come across, and this incident is a prime example.
"The team is always keen to hear from their communities - any concerns or information can be reported to or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the reporting options on the GMP website. People can also keep in touch with their neighbourhood teams via Bee in the Loop."
The RSPCA runs a campaign during hot weather which warns that 'dogs die in hot cars.'
A spokesperson said: "The RSPCA strongly advises pet owners to never leave any animal in any vehicle or caravan, or in a conservatory or outbuilding, where temperatures can quickly rise, even when it doesn’t feel that warm outside.
"For example, when it’s 22C outside, within an hour the temperature can reach 47C inside a vehicle, which can result in death. In an emergency, it is best to dial 999 and report a dog in a hot car to police."
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