It was a routine patrol that quickly turned into a rescue mission. As reported by the local news site La Provence, a motorway police crew spotted a Renault Espace stopped on the hard shoulder of the A7 motorway, near Septèmes-les-Vallons in southern France.
The heavily tinted windows made it difficult for the officers to see inside. Pressing their faces against the glass, they spotted a dog. It looked like an American Staffordshire Terrier, desperately trying to hide behind the front seats.
To free the dog safely, the officers decided to have the car towed to their northern headquarters in Septèmes-les-Vallons.
Once in a safe place, they finally opened the vehicle. The temperature inside was nearly 40°C. Although he was frightened, the dog was safe and sound, and he gently agreed to step out of the car.
Pampered by the officers
As animal welfare services could not collect him immediately so late in the day, the dog, named “Big”, spent the night at the station. Well-behaved and in good health, he quickly became the mascot of the night shift, who fed him and showered him with affection.
An unexpected twist
Meanwhile, the investigation progressed. Officers managed to identify and contact the owner of the vehicle, a man in his fifties. He was absolutely stunned to hear from them. He explained that his car had been stolen three days earlier... with his beloved dog still inside.
The following morning, local police took charge of “Big”. He was temporarily placed in a shelter in Cabriès while investigators carried out final checks to confirm the owner's story.