ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office shared a video of deputies rescuing a dog from a hot car last Friday. The owners have reportedly been charged with animal cruelty.
Deputies moved to rescue the dog after receiving a call from a concerned citizen on Aug. 2 outside a courthouse, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook reel. The dog was reportedly "heavily panting and in obvious distress," as the car was locked and off with the windows rolled up.
The sheriff's office said it was 88 degrees outside at the time of the rescue, meaning the dog was left in the car for about 30-45 minutes, making the inside of the car 120 degrees.
"We hate when we have to do this," the sheriff's office stated in the reel.
After breaking the car's window and providing water, deputies took the dog to animal control for treatment, where it was determined to be okay, the sheriff's office said. Its owners were reportedly found inside the courthouse soon after and charged with animal cruelty.
"In just 10 minutes, your vehicle heats up 20 degrees," deputies stated in the reel. "In this Florida heat, that would be pretty uncomfortable for anyone. So, if it isn't good enough for you, it's not good enough for a pet or child."
While thankful that the dog turned out okay, deputies reiterated that "there are way too many situations where that isn't the case."
"Cracking a window doesn't help much at all, so don't consider that to be an option," the sheriff's office stated. "Just don't do it."
