Police officers smashed the window of a Volvo to rescue a dog that was trapped inside a car during a heatwave on Monday, July 13, 2026. The incident occurred in the Tesco Extra car park near Brent Cross shopping centre in London.
Officers were called to the scene at 11:05 a.m. following concerns for the welfare of the dog, which was reportedly distressed and panicking due to the heat. The interior of a car can reach extreme temperatures rapidly, with the RSPCA stating that temperatures inside can climb to 47 degrees Celsius (116.6 degrees Fahrenheit) even when the outside temperature is 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Dogs can suffer fatal heatstroke in as little as 20 minutes.
Attempts to locate the car's owner were unsuccessful. Due to the hot weather and the elapsed time, the officers forced entry into the vehicle to remove the dog for its safety. A video of the rescue shows officers attempting to free the animal after the window had been broken.
Upon locating the owner, a police officer informed her of the situation. "We've had to come down and force entry into your vehicle because members of the public were concerned [for] your dog due to the way it's breathing, it's panicking," the officer stated. "It's obviously panicking because it's hot inside. Did you not think to check on your dog or bring it inside on a leash? You left your dog to suffer. It's not on. I don't know why you are leaving your dog unattended even for a few minutes, especially in this heat."
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers later reunited the dog with its owner and provided advice to prevent similar incidents. No further action was taken against the owner.
The incident occurred as Britain experienced its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching nearly 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in London on Sunday. The warm and dry conditions have also contributed to an increase in wildfires across the country, with experts warning of heightened risks to homes and health.