Police body camera footage makes headlines all the time. Typically, the footage reveals gross abuse of authority by officers or reprehensible citizen actions. However, every once in a while, a body cam catches something truly hope-inspiring. Such was the case when Florida police officers rescued a dog trapped in a hot car. 

Police body camera footage shows Bradenton police officers saving a good dog trapped in a hot car

A hot car is no place for a person, let alone a dog or another vulnerable critter. Fortunately, concerned citizens will sometimes come to an animal’s aid by calling the authorities. In this case, Florida police officers smashed an SUV’s windows to extricate one very thirsty, very grateful dog. 

A police officer penetrated the glass with a window hammer tool, and pulled it back from its track, shattering the safety glass. The dog almost immediately greeted the open window and the officer. Better yet, the officers produced a halved bottle of water for the dog to replenish their fluids. 

According to the Weather Channel, the officers from the Bradenton Police Department acted quickly to free the dog in the car from the heat of the cabin. Bradenton, a Gulf of Mexico-facing city north of Sarasota, gets hot. Sure, it rarely rises above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but that doesn’t stop a vehicle’s cabin from rising to unsafe temperatures. 

A stationary vehicle in direct sunlight with no climate control can rise well above the ambient temperature. For instance, leaving your car in 90-degree heat for half an hour or so could raise the cabin’s temperature to a potentially dangerous 120 degrees or higher. 

If you’re not often exposed to that kind of heat, should your core body temperature rise to 104 degrees, you’re likely experiencing heat stroke. It’ll happen faster than you might think in a cabin with temperatures over 120 degrees. 

Frankly, I’ve seen U.S. Marines and soldiers pass out from heat-related complications, despite being in tip-top shape. Now, imagine it’s not a constantly hydrating athlete. Imagine it’s your dog, covered in fur, with no ability to sweat off some of that heat. Don’t believe me? Check out the video of the police officers saving the dog below!

Beyond ignorant comments like “The only time you’ll hear me say I’m thankful for cops,” many commenters seemed thrilled to see the pupper released from their hold. One can only hope the impending repair and likely animal cruelty charge will teach not only this driver, but others not to overlook the safety of their furry companions. Don’t leave your dog in a hot car. Period.