Fire brigade saves dog from overheated car at Lake Olching!

Fire brigade saves dog from overheated car at Lake Olching!

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, an incident at Kleiner Olchinger See caused a stir. The Olching fire department had to act quickly to free a dog from an overheated car. The vehicle owner accidentally left his backpack with the car keys in the trunk, which caused the car to lock itself. A dangerous situation for the animal in the summer heat.

Despite the intensity of the situation, the fire brigade initially tried to open the vehicle carefully. Unfortunately, this attempt was unsuccessful and a replacement key could not be obtained in time. Ultimately, the emergency services had no choice but to break a side window. Fortunately, the dog was released unharmed and was fine. But such operations also raise important questions.

Legal aspects of animal rescue

As a rule, passers-by who discover a suffering animal in a hot car must first try to locate the owner. If this cannot be reached, the police or fire department should be called. It is important to know that the window may only be broken if the rescue services do not arrive in time and the animal's life is in acute danger. The Animal Welfare Act treats such situations seriously, as temperatures in the car can rise dangerously quickly. For example, if the outside temperature is 20 degrees, life-threatening conditions can arise within less than an hour, and if it is more than 30 degrees, after just 10 minutes.

So the question arises for many: Can you just break the car window? The legal consequences are usually excluded if the animal is in acute danger. However, it is advisable to involve witnesses and collect evidence such as photos or videos before resorting to such measures. The procedure is clear: first find the pet owner, then contact the appropriate authorities and only act in an emergency. Violating the Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance (TierSchHuV) can result in penalties for dog owners.

The animal protection law and its effects

The Animal Welfare Act applies to all animals, with a focus on vertebrates such as dogs and cats. This law prohibits the infliction of avoidable pain or suffering without reasonable cause. In the event of injuries to animals, both the Animal Protection Act and the Criminal Code (StGB) can be applied. The situation surrounding the rescue of animals from difficult situations is therefore not only a question of compassion, but also a legal challenge.

The general costs of using the fire brigade and police are usually borne by the animal owner, which shows that a certain degree of responsibility also lies with the animal owner. It is not uncommon for court proceedings to determine that negligent animal cruelty is involved, and the courts often decide differently depending on the individual case.

It is more important than ever to treat our four-legged friends responsibly and to find out about the legal framework in order to avoid such critical situations.

This incident at Kleiner Olchinger See reminds us how quickly such a situation can arise and how important it is to act in the interests of animal protection. Further information on the legal issues surrounding animal rescue can be found at the following links: Mercury, anwalt.de, and Animal Welfare Association.