2 dogs locked inside extremely hot car in Indio are rescued by deputy

Two small dogs trapped inside a car where the temperature was in excess of 100 degrees were rescued by a deputy in Indio who smashed a window to retrieve the pets, officials said Monday evening.

The two terrier mixes were rescued about 2:15 p.m. in the car that was parked outside the Indio courthouse, according to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

Agency spokesman John Welsh said the temperature inside the car was 134 degrees. The two dogs were taken to a veterinary hospital and were in good condition Monday evening, Welsh said. “They likely cooled down during the drive from the courthouse.”

The owner will be cited for leaving the dogs unattended in a vehicle under conditions that could endanger the health of the animals, officials said. They said the temperature in the area was near 100 degrees when the animals were rescued.

“Anyone in their right mind should know that you don’t leave an animal in a car on a day like today,” said Riverside County Animal Services Cmdr. Rita Gutierrez.