Police rescue dog trapped in car from deadly temperatures

Officers came to the rescue of a dog trapped in a hot car Tuesday, potentially saving its life.

Temperatures in the Denver metro area hovered near 100 degrees, but inside the car was far hotter — a deadly 123.7 degrees.

In the video, the small dog — named Pedro — is shown to have trouble breathing and extreme panting.

Lakeside police officer Dave Kornowski and his partner responded to a report of animal cruelty at the Walmart at 5957 W. 44th Avenue, reported KDVR. They broke the window and rescued the dog with the help of Jefferson County Animal Control.

“We’re usually called two to three times a week for dog in a car,” said Kornowski. After the rescue, Pedro’s owner, Aaron Marlow, approached the car and was mad that his window had been broken, Kornowski explained.

Marlow then got in his car and fled, but was soon caught and arrested at a gas station on the other side of the parking lot.

The dog was taken to be treated at Wheat Ridge Animal Medical Center, and remained in critical condition Tuesday evening.

Hospital staff told police that Pedro is expected to survive and will likely be taken to Foothills Animal Rescue.