Bodycam shows Wheat Ridge police officer rescue dog from 104 degree vehicle

Last Friday, WRPD Community Service Officers were dispatched to a shopping plaza, after community members gave us a call about a small dog left in a car. When our CSO arrived, he used an infrared thermometer to find the internal temperature of the car ranged between 104 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit.

We are incredibly grateful to the people who saw this situation and called 911, so we could investigate and handle it safely. A witness even tried to provide water for the dog.

The dog’s owner was inside a business at the complex. After explaining the dangers of leaving a dog in that environment to the family, they understood the gravity of the situation and said it would never happen again.

We’re a department that tries to have compassion with boundaries. In this case, our CSO issued a written warning, but included a deadline to provide proof of a rabies vaccination by mid-July, otherwise the owner could face an animal cruelty charge.

This has been one of the warmest starts to the summer on record in the Denver metro area, and the second time within a week we’ve had to post about this issue. Even if you’re going shopping for a couple of minutes, it’s just too hot to leave pets behind.