Police officer smashes into hot van to rescue puppies left inside

Bodycam footage from a police officer has captured the moment she broke a van window to save two puppies trapped inside on an extremely hot day. The distressed dogs were left with pee-pads in the unattended van, which at the time of rescue was nearly 37C (100F) outside and a sweltering 43C (110F) inside.

The video shows officer Jennifer Williams of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) shattering the van's window using a police baton. The LVMPD later revealed that the plan had been to leave the dogs in the vehicle for an extended period.

Following their rescue, the dogs received treatment and were taken to a shelter while the police investigation is ongoing.

READ MORE: Teen avoids jail after being part of screwdriver mob which left man with punctured lung

In a social media post, the LVMPD said: "With the excessive heat underway and even hotter weather over the next several days, we urge you to never leave pets or people in vehicles. We wanted to highlight the quick and compassionate work of LVMPD Northeast Area Command Officer Jennifer Williams.In late May, she responded to an animal call near Lake Mead Blvd and Hollywood. She arrived at an apartment complex and found two dogs tethered and struggling inside a hot minivan. There are ordinances and laws protecting pets in extreme weather.", reports the Mirror.

""Pet owners are legally obliged to provide food, fresh water and cooling devices when the temperature goes above 105 degrees. No animal can be tethered in the backyard during a National Weather Service heat advisory.

It's a given that leaving pets in a car-even for a few minutes-is illegal. ".

The incident occurred near Lake Mead Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard in Las Vegas, USA, on May 26.