A Newport Beach police officer shattered a car window on May 18 to rescue five dogs suffering from the extreme heat inside a parked vehicle. The incident, captured on body-camera footage released by the department, highlighted the rapid dangers pets can face in hot cars, even with windows slightly ajar.
The officer responded to a call regarding a vehicle in the 2400 block of Holly Lane and discovered the five dogs inside. According to police, the windows were only "slightly cracked open," and most of the dogs were in cages and exhibiting signs of distress as the interior temperature of the car climbed.
Due to the immediate safety risk, the officer broke a window to remove the animals. A veterinarian later examined the dogs, confirming their body temperatures had reached life-threatening levels. All five dogs survived the ordeal and have since made a full recovery.
The owner of the dogs received a misdemeanor citation for multiple animal-welfare violations. The case has been forwarded to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for further review. Three of the rescued dogs are currently at the Newport Beach Animal Shelter and are available for adoption.
The rescue occurred as Southern California experienced a significant heat wave, with temperatures soaring well above average. Police emphasized that pet owners should not wait for extreme weather to take precautions, as a parked car's interior can become dangerously hot within minutes, regardless of the outside temperature or whether windows are cracked.
California Penal Code Section 597.7 prohibits leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle when conditions such as heat, cold, or lack of ventilation endanger its health. First offenses without severe injury can result in fines up to $100 per animal, with subsequent offenses carrying higher penalties. If an animal suffers great bodily injury or death, the offense escalates to a misdemeanor, potentially leading to fines up to $500 and jail time.