Cop smashes car window to free pup locked inside on hot day

A police officer in Florida has been forced to smash a car window to save a puppy left to swelter in 34C heat.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, was captured on Pensacola Police Officer Anthony Giorgio's bodycam.

The officer said the tiny Cavalier King Charles Spaniel had been trapped for about half an hour when he contacted his sergeant who gave him permission to free the dog.

After smashing the car's window with his baton, bystanders rushed to give the pint-sized dog bottles of water.

The Pensacola Police Department posted a photo of the puppy and the broken car window on Facebook with a warning to other drivers.

"Don't. Just don't. If you leave your dog in a hot car and that dog is suffering, we will do whatever we have to do to free him. Or her. Doesn't matter, we like both kinds of dogs," the post said.

"We will drive your pooch to the caring folks at the Escambia County Animal Shelter and we will drop you off with the caring folks at the Escambia County Detention Facility.

"You will both receive attention, food, and shelter, albeit different kinds. So, don't."

Despite the threat of jail, in this case the puppy was given back to its owner who was issued with citations.