A dog locked in a sweltering car during 34C temperatures was rescued by a quick-thinking passerby with an axe on Wednesday.

A man and a woman approached the vehicle at Newbury Retail Park in Berkshire after spotting the terrier ‘panting like mad’ by the window.

Its owner had left the dog for almost 45 minutes while shopping in Currys with her young daughter.

The unnamed man fetched an axe and set about trying to break the glass on the front passenger-side window.

After seven strikes with the sharp side of the fixture he span it round and successfully broke the window with the blunt side, letting in oxygen that could have saved the dog from serious illness or death.

The pair can be heard saying ‘that done it’ before they check on the pooch, which appears to be in a poor state.

The man can be heard asking: ‘At least it’ll get some air, that won’t die in there will it?’

The woman replies: ‘Well it don’t look bloody great.’

Police officers who happened to be buying lunch at a nearby M&S were called over, after which vets arrived to check over the pet.

According to the RSPCA, even parking in shade with a window cracked open can kill a pet left inside.

Ambient temperatures of 22C can lead to temperatures of up to 47C within an hour – so the terrier may have been in even more unbearable conditions amid Wednesday’s highs of 34C.

The law protects people from damaging cars and other property if they believe the owner would consent to it knowing the circumstances – but otherwise they may be prosecuted for criminal damage or sued in a civil court.

In most cases it is advised to call the police if an animal is showing signs of heatstroke, and to make attempts to contact the owner – perhaps by asking shop workers to put out an announcement.

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