Police Rescue Crated Dog and Cat from Back of Sweltering U-Haul Truck

Boise, Idaho – Police in Boise, Idaho, broke into the back of a parked U-Haul truck to save an overheated cat and dog who were crated in the sweltering interior. According to the authorities, the vehicle was parked at a truck stop and the distressed panting from the overheated dog could be heard from outside.

The agency said:

Last Thursday, just after 6 p.m., Boise Police officers were dispatched to an upsetting situation at a truck stop on the 4000 block of S. Broadway Ave. The outside temperature was around 98°F and a dog was reportedly locked in the back of a moving truck. Evidence indicates the dog was in the truck for at least 20 minutes before officers arrived. The first responding officer, Officer Yankovich, heard heavy panting coming from inside of the truck and based on the conditions determined it necessary to force entry into the truck.

After accessing the vehicle’s interior, the officers found two visibly distressed animals who were suffering from the heat. An officer moved the crated cat to an air-conditioned patrol car, and the dog was released from the kennel and given water.

The dog’s owner and his father finally returned to the vehicle an hour later. When questioned, the men said they were getting food and ice.

The authorities said:

Following an investigation both suspects were charged with two misdemeanor counts of Carrying Animals in a Cruel Manner. An Animal Control Officer with the Idaho Humane Society took custody of the pets so they could receive the appropriate care. Thankfully both the dog and cat are on the mend.

The police department reminds the public of the dangers of leaving pets inside parked cars writing:

It’s important to remember that the inside of a vehicle heats up quickly, even if the windows are cracked. On a 98°F day like we had in this incident, temperatures inside of vehicle will rise to over 115°F in just 10 minutes and over 130°F after just 30 minutes.

Watch the encounter below.