At 5:45pm on a sweltering Friday, with temperatures at 30°C in the shade, a passer-by noticed a sealed car with no shade, ventilation or movement, except for a dog inside, barely responsive and panting heavily.
Realising the animal was in serious danger, the man called police.
Rescue mission
Officers arrived within minutes, immediately assessed the urgency and smashed the window to free the poor dog. They gave it water and moved it into the shade, likely saving its life. Signs of overheating, glazed eyes, unsteady gait and rapid panting, were already clear.
The owner returned shortly after and now faces criminal proceedings for violating animal welfare laws.
Call for pet ban
On 11 June, PETA filed charges with the Passau public prosecutor and called for a ban on the woman keeping animals.
The incident is a stark reminder of how quickly parked cars can become deadly for pets. Experts and PETA stress: if an animal is in immediate danger, citizens are legally permitted to break a car window—provided they call the police and document the situation.
This time, quick thinking made all the difference.
