Police were forced to smash the window of a car parked in Co Down after finding a dog in distress inside.
The PSNI said the animal was “suffering from the heat” in the vehicle, which was parked in Newcastle on Saturday.
Members of the public had alerted police to the distressed pomeranian dog.
Officers smashed the window of the car to free the animal, with the owner returning minutes later with an ice-cream.
Police said the owner has been reported to the PPS for animal cruelty.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Yesterday (Saturday) we received a report of a dog in distress in a car in Newcastle.
“South Down neighbourhood Officers attended and saw the little pomeranian type dog in the car, clearly distressed and suffering from the heat in the car.
“Some brief enquiries were carried out to try and locate the owner of the car without success.
“Minutes after entry was forced the owner return, ice cream in hand.
Yesterday we received a report of a dog in distress in a car in Newcastle. South Down neighbourhood Officers attended...
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“It appeared it was OK for the owner to go and get an ice cream to cool down in the warm weather but the little dog had to suffer locked in the car.
“The person responsible for the dog will be reported to the PPS for animal cruelty.”
