OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A puppy is doing okay after being rescued from an overheated car. The 6-week-old shepherd-lab mix is now in the hands of the folks at Animal Services in Thurston County.

On Sunday the female puppy was found inside a small cage on the front seat of a locked car in Olympia. The outside temperature was in the upper 70s which means the inside temperature in the sun can reach 120 degrees.

Police broke into the car and rescued the puppy before she succumbed to the heat. They say it's a reminder of just how dangerous it is to leave animals in vehicles.

"When people abuse their animals like that it just heartbreaking," said Kathy Bailey of Thurston County Animal Services. "We wish we could do more to the owners. Unfortunately we do have to work within the parameters of the law."

The owner of the dog was cited for animal cruelty. It is only a misdemeanor, but he agreed to put the puppy up for adoption through Animal Services.

The puppy could be adopted in a couple of weeks.

For More Information:

http://www.jointanimalservices.org/