Two dogs rescued from a hot car – fire department saves lives in Kranenburg!

Two dogs rescued from a hot car – fire department saves lives in Kranenburg!

On August 11, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., the fire department was alerted to an exciting animal rescue operation in Kranenburg. Two dogs were trapped in a parked vehicle, which quickly became a concern. According to the report by Lokalkompass.de The vehicle was initially parked in the shade and the rear seat windows were only slightly open. But as the heat and temperature inside the car increased - despite the slight ventilation - the trapped four-legged friends soon needed urgent support.

During the course of the operation, the need to raise an alarm to quickly search for the vehicle owner became negligible. The fire department and police tried to reach the owner, but were unsuccessful. Given the rising temperature in the vehicle, the dogs showed symptoms of overheating: heavy panting, exhaustion and intense thirst were the first signs. After about 45 minutes, the driver's side could be opened using a spring punch. The four-legged friends were immediately given water and showed the first signs of recovery.

The dangers of summer heat

Such missions are not uncommon in the summer months. How veto-tierschutz.de reported, the temperature in the car can rise quickly even when the outside temperature is moderate. If the outside temperature is 20 degrees Celsius, the inside of the vehicle can reach up to 46 degrees Celsius after just one hour, which can lead to acute life-threatening dangers, especially for dogs. Many pet owners underestimate the amount of time they spend in the store while their animals wait in the car, which quickly leads to dangerous conditions.

The legal framework further underlines this problem. landtiere.de emphasizes that locking dogs in cars is legally prohibited in Germany and can be punished as animal cruelty - in the worst case, there is a risk of fines of up to 25,000 euros. Breaking a car window is also legally sensitive unless it is an emergency. In such cases, animal lovers are allowed to circumvent the legal regulations in order to save the animal.

Correct approach to heat trap

So what should you do if you see a dog in a locked car? There are clear steps to follow: First, the dog's owner should be identified. If this does not work, the police or fire department should be informed immediately. It is advisable to call in witnesses and document the dog's condition in order to legitimize the rescue measures in an emergency.

If there is an acute danger to life, you can break the window to save the dog. Signs of heat stroke include heavy panting, apathy, staggering, and vomiting and diarrhea. After a rescue, it is important to move the dog out of the sun and offer him lukewarm water to cool him down. Animal rescue should also be notified immediately to ensure the animal receives the necessary professional help.