Dog left inside hot U-Haul, Florida couple faces charges

A Florida couple is facing animal abuse charges after leaving their pet in a truck on a hot day.

The New Smyrna Beach Police Department released body camera video showing a dog left inside a U-Haul truck on Sunday.

In the video, the windows were barely cracked as the officer gave the canine some water.

Temperatures were likely 100 degrees or more inside the truck.

Bystanders told police the dog was left inside for nearly an hour while the owners were at the beach.

The canine was safely removed and taken to the humane society.

Charges have been filed against both owners.

Each year, children and pets mistakenly or purposefully left inside cars die from overheating. On an 80-degree day, it can take just 20 minutes for the inside of a car to heat up to 109 degrees. On hotter days, a car can become sweltering in just minutes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers these tips to help prevent hot car deaths:

• Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended — even if the windows are partially open or the engine is running, and the air conditioning is on.
• Make it a habit to check your entire vehicle — front and back — before locking the door and walking away. Train yourself to Park, Look, Lock, or always ask yourself, "Where's Baby?"
• Ask your childcare provider to call if your child doesn’t show up for care as expected.
• Place a personal item like a purse or briefcase in the back seat, as another reminder to look before you lock. Write a note or place a stuffed animal in the passenger's seat to remind you that a child is in the back seat.
• Store car keys out of a child's reach and teach children that a vehicle is not a play area.