NEW JERSEY -- A New Jersey state trooper forced entry into a vehicle to rescue a dog that was suffering from severe heat stroke during the afternoon on Saturday, officials said.
A statement from New Jersey State Police said that, Trooper Frankie Williams, was dispatched to the parking lot of Ranch Hope Thrift Store in Pilesgrove at about 2:27 p.m. after someone called law enforcement to report of a dog inside a Mercedes-Benz with only one window open at approximately one inch.
Trooper Williams arrived and he saw a poodle lying on its side in a crate within the vehicle. Troopers say the dog was “in obvious distress.”
“Fearing for the dog’s safety, he quickly decided to break the rear driver’s side window with his expandable baton,” state law enforcement said in a statement.
The trooper removed the poodle from the crate and carried it to a shaded area where he gave the dog water, and poured water over its body to immediately cool it off. Troopers then transported the poodle to Saint Francis Veterinary Center in Woolwich, Gloucester County, where a veterinarian determined that the poodle was suffering from heat stroke and was in critical condition.
Police have identified the dog’s owner as a 43-year-old woman from State College, Pa. The woman was charged with animal abuse and released pending a court date. State troopers did not release the woman’s name.
The poodle is now in stable condition, and will remain with animal control officers until the owner’s court hearing, law enforcement said.
Law enforcement made sure to repeat the warning that leaving animals in an enclosed vehicle could be deadly.
“Even if it doesn’t feel too hot outside, leaving your pets unattended in a car with windows rolled up can have deadly consequences,” police said.
(GoHeroes - Aug 9, 2016)
