Police free dog left in vehicle

Police were forced to smash their way into a car to save a distressed dog trapped inside.

Officers were called to Toddler’s Cove car park in Canterbury at just before 2pm last Friday after passersby raised the alarm.

The owner is thought to have left the animal in the Honda Jazz while she went shopping.

Once freed, the shih tzu-type dog was given water and taken for a walk while officers waited for the owner to return.

She was given a warning about the dangers of leaving animals in hot cars.

The vehicle is said to have been parked in the sun for an hour-and-a-half. Although outside temperatures reached an average of 14c, the car had a black leather interior which caused it to overheat.