A small dog narrowly escaped a potentially fatal ordeal on Thursday, thanks to the swift actions of local police officers. The incident unfolded when a security guard at a nearby water park noticed the distressed animal trapped in a parked BMW on a sweltering summer day.
The alert guard immediately notified the Żyrardów police, who responded promptly to the scene. According to the police spokesperson, Junior Aspirant Patrycja Sochacka, the officers found the car parked in a partially sunlit area with only slightly lowered windows, insufficient to provide adequate ventilation. With external temperatures nearing 30°C (86°F), the interior of the car had become dangerously hot.
Acting quickly, the officers accessed the vehicle through the trunk and rescued the overheated dog, providing it with much-needed water before transporting it to a veterinary clinic for further care. Fortunately, the dog survived the ordeal without lasting harm.
The dog’s owners, absent at the scene, now face legal consequences. Junior Aspirant Sochacka stated that leaving an animal in a hot car is considered animal cruelty, with penalties from a 500 PLN fine to three years in prison. This incident highlights the dangers of high temperatures and the need for responsible pet ownership.
Police urge pet owners never to leave animals in vehicles during hot weather, even briefly. Temperatures inside a car can reach life-threatening levels within minutes, making slightly open windows or a bowl of water inadequate safeguards.
“During heatwaves, a car’s interior can hit 50°C (122°F) in 20 minutes and nearly 60°C (140°F) in 40 minutes,” warned Sochacka. These conditions can quickly cause heatstroke, dehydration, or suffocation in pets.
Police emphasize community vigilance and urge anyone seeing an animal in a hot car to call emergency services immediately.