Members of the public heard the dog panting in the parked vehicle and raised the alarm on Wednesday. Police dashed to the scene in Appleby Bridge, Lancashire, and grew increasingly concerned when the animal became silent.

       So officers smashed the window in an attempt to rescue the family pet, Liverpool Echo reports.

       After the dog was pulled from the vehicle, it was rushed to the vet to be treated for heat exposure and dehydration.

       The owner has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty.

       Lancashire Police say it was 24C outside yesterday but the temperature in the car boot was likely 10C warmer.

       The dog is expected to make a full recovery.

       Writing on Facebook, police thanked members of the public for reacting quickly.

       Others online condemned the owner's behaviour.

       One wrote: "Idiot... There's plenty of warnings about it and your own common sense should tell you... these idiots obviously just didn't care."

       Another posted: "Selfish morons should not have pets."

       A third stated: "They want locking in boot themselves."