Dog in Hot Indiana Car Honks to Alert Police Officer to Rescue Her

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department recently shared a story that starts out horribly but has the most wonderfully happy ending. Officers were called to a hotel on June 20 for a report of a dog left in a vehicle in the parking lot.

People knew there was a dog trapped in a hot car because the German Shepherd honked to let people know where he was.

The police department posted on Facebook: “In a moving display of humanity, IMPD Public Safety Officer (PSO) Poe gave a second chance at happiness to a dog that was left to suffer in a hot vehicle. PSO Poe was on scene when two dogs and a cat were left in a vehicle in 90-degree heat with no air conditioning and the windows barely open. Unfortunately, one of the dogs died before officers could reach him. PSO Poe contacted Indianapolis Animal Care Services asking how to adopt the hardy German Shepherd.”

Related: Leaving Dogs in Cars Can Be Deadly

The post continues: “Well, we are happy to announce that PSO Poe has adopted a German Shepherd, Abby! Abby is now in her new FURever home and is in good hands. PSO Poe mentioned, “I changed her collar and it was like Abby knew she was home for good.”

How wonderful is this story? It’s always so wonderful when a dog survives being trapped in a hot car, but the fact that Abby was adopted by the person who saved her is just wonderful.

We know she’s going to have the best life in the world.

How to Help Your Dog in a Hot Car

Leaving your dog in a closed car is never a good idea, especially in warmer temperatures. The Humane Society explains that when it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside a car can rise to 99 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes.

If you see a dog in a locked car, the first thing you should do is try to locate the owner. If the car is parked in a business parking lot, notify management so they can make an announcement and try to locate the owner.

The Humane Society also declares that:

If the owner can’t be found, call your local police or animal control 911 and wait by your car until they arrive. In several states, good Samaritans can legally remove animals from cars under certain circumstances, so make sure you know the laws in your area and follow any required steps.

Call your local animal control agency and the police emergency number to report the situation quickly. Wait by your car until help arrives.

No dog should be left in a hot car, and leaving puppies alone in a car is especially dangerous. We all owe it to dogs everywhere to report these problems when we see them and to get help for a dog left alone in a car as soon as possible.