Small dog rescued from inside 131-degree car in California

SAN JACINTO, Calif. — A small dog was rescued Monday from inside a car in California that was a scorching 131 degrees.

A good Samaritan was passing by when he heard the yelps of a small dog, Boomer, coming from a parked car, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.

Since the temperature outside at the time was 99 degrees, the person, concerned about Boomer's well-being, went over to check on the pup, investigators said.

Boomer was in distress and not moving. The person rescued him from the vehicle and attempted life-saving measures. It was unclear how the man gained access to the vehicle.

Deputies arrived and put Boomer in an air-conditioned vehicle.

The dog's owner was located and arrested on charges of suspicion of animal cruelty, officials said.

“Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach more than 120 degrees within minutes, even with the windows partly opened on a cloudy day,” the sheriff’s office said on social media. “Exposure to such high temperatures can quickly kill a person or pet. A body temperature of just 107 degrees may cause brain damage or death from heatstroke.”

Boomer is available for adoption at the Ramona Humane Society.

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