According to a post on the department's Facebook page, a citizen called to report the dog left in a car in the parking lot of the Burger King on N. Main Street around 5 p.m. Tuesday.
When Officer Gerstner responded, the temperature was 97 degrees outside and the windows to the vehicle were shut.
The officer determined that the dog was in distress and removed it from the vehicle.
The dog is ok and is now in custody of Animal Control.
The Contra Costa District Attorney's office is investigating whether to pursue charges against the owner.
Police say this incident serves as a reminder not to leave pets in hot cars.
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Walnut Creek Police Department Facebook post August 2 at 12:43pm ·
Walnut Creek PD Officer Gerstner responded to the parking lot of Burger King on N. Main St. yesterday evening at around 5:00 pm for the report of a dog left in a vehicle. When Officer Gerstner responded, it was 97 degrees outside, the windows to the vehicle were closed, and the dog was locked inside the car. Officer Gerstner determined the dog was in distress and needed to be removed from the vehicle immediately.
Officer Gerstner successfully removed the dog from the vehicle and the sweet puppy spent a few hours at WCPD drinking water and receiving lots of pets, cuddles, and snuggles from the Department. Animal Control responded and took custody of the dog, who later was determined to have been left inside the vehicle for over two hours. The dog's owner was identified and the investigation is continuing with Animal Control and the District Attorney's Office.
We are grateful for the astute citizen who didn't hesitate to contact us upon seeing the distressed dog in the vehicle and Officer Gerstner's immediate action to rescue the dog. Without them, this story could have had a much different ending. We hope sharing this story can help common sense prevail - DON'T LEAVE YOUR LOVED ONES IN A VEHICLE ON A WARM DAY. Children and pets alike.
**Please LIKE and SHARE this post to spread the word on this type of incident which occurs far too often - especially in summer months!**
(KTVU San Francisco - Aug 3, 2017)
