Malibu Sheriff Rescues Puppy Left in Hot Car at Zuma Beach

Malibu, CA — A lucky puppy is alive now thanks to the quick action of a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy.

The Lost Hills Sheriff's Station received the call on Saturday from a concerned beach visitor about a dog left alone inside a parked car at Zuma Beach. Sheriff's Dep. Joanna Krase responded quickly and found the dog inside the car with its window slightly cracked. She was able to unlock the car and remove the dog.

The dog was extremely thirsty and readily drank water from Krase's hand. Deputies were able to locate the owners, who were out-of-town visitors and did not realize they could not bring the dog onto the beach and decided to leave the dog inside the car.

The department reminded residents to not bring their pets to the beach and not to them inside locked cars. On a hot day, the temperature inside the car can rise 20 degrees in 10 minutes.

Hundreds of pets die each year from heat exhaustion after being left inside the car, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Authorities say to call 911 immediately when you see a pet locked inside a hot car.

— Photo courtesy of the LASD