Puppy Pulled From 133-Degree Car In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE, CA — A 2-month-old puppy was left alone in a sweltering hot car — which measured 133 degrees inside — and was rescued by county animal control officials on Wednesday. The pup did not even have water, according to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

Agency Spokesman John Welsh says the dog, a black-and-white female pit bull mix named Misty, was spotted in a parked car around 10:30 a.m. in downtown Riverside, in the area of Lemon and 12th streets. Officials believe the canine was in the car for at least 30 minutes.

He said animal control officers were alerted and arrived a few minutes later, removing the puppy from the vehicle. The interior temperature had reached 133 degrees by the time the canine was rescued, according to Welsh.

"When I arrived, I found a pit bull puppy in a white Impala, that when I got out of my vehicle, I could hear whimpering and panting and whining, " said Animal Control Officer Cecelia Morris.

Morris said she then phoned her sergeant who met her at the location shortly thereafter to get the canine out.

"This puppy was very fortunate," she said. "I think we were able to get the puppy out of the vehicle in time."

The owner, whose identity was not released, was located and issued a citation for alleged neglect, Welsh said.

In January, a new California law — called the "Right to Rescue" law — went into effect, allowing for citizens to rescue pets from hot vehicles. The law allows Californians to rescue pets left in cars if an animal seems to be in distress from the heat or lack of ventilation, including by breaking the vehicle's window, without fear of prosecution or civil liability.

It's important to keep in mind that in order to receive legal immunity, a person must comply with all of the following requirements (Info via Office of Assemblyman Marc Steinorth):

• Determine the car is locked or there is no other reasonable method to remove the animal from the vehicle
• Have a reasonable and good faith belief that the animal is in imminent danger if not immediately removed
• Contact law enforcement prior to entering the vehicle
• Use no more force than necessary to enter the vehicle
• If the person does enter the vehicle, the person must remain nearby with the animal in a safe location until law enforcement arrives. The person may not leave the scene.

Veterinary staff at the Western Riverside County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley were treating the pup rescued in Riverside for heat exhaustion.

Welsh said the incident highlights the importance of taking extra care to keep pets in cool places as extreme heat conditions persist throughout the region.

— Image and video via Riverside County Department of Animal Services / City News Service contributed to this report.