PHOENIX, ARIZONA 

An elderly Basset Hound was rescued from a locked vehicle on a dangerously hot summer afternoon after a passerby spotted him struggling to breathe through the car window.

The dog, an 11-year-old named Buster, had been left inside a dark-colored sedan in a busy shopping centre parking lot.

Outside, the temperature had climbed to 104°F (40°C).

Inside the vehicle, the heat had become unbearable.

By the time someone noticed him, Buster could barely hold his head upright.

His heavy ears hung against the seat, his chest moved rapidly, and thick saliva dripped from his open mouth.

He was desperately trying to cool himself.

But the windows were closed.

The doors were locked.

And no one knew how long he had been trapped.

The dog behind the glass

The first person to notice Buster was 28-year-old delivery driver Marcus Reed.

Marcus had just finished collecting an order when he heard a faint scratching sound coming from a parked car.

He initially ignored it.

Then he heard a dull thump against the window.

When he turned, he saw a brown-and-white Basset Hound sitting awkwardly on the passenger seat.

The dog’s long ears were hanging low.

His eyes were partially closed.

His mouth was wide open, and he was panting so rapidly that his entire chest seemed to shake.

Marcus immediately walked toward the vehicle.

“Hey, buddy. You okay in there?”

Buster slowly turned his head.

For a moment, his tired eyes followed Marcus through the glass.

Then his head drooped again.

Marcus tried the passenger door.

Locked.

He checked the rear door.

Also locked.

A small bowl sat on the floor, but it appeared empty.

The interior of the car was completely still.

There was no air conditioning running.

Marcus felt the heat radiating from the windows.

He took out his phone and began recording, hoping to document the situation while calling for help.

“There’s a dog locked in this car,” he said breathlessly. “He’s not doing well. He’s barely moving.”

He hurried around the vehicle, searching for an owner.

Nobody answered.

Inside, Buster attempted to lift himself onto his front legs.

His paws slipped against the seat.

He tried again.

But his body was too weak.

The elderly dog slowly sank, resting his chin against the edge of the passenger seat.

His tongue remained extended.

His breathing grew increasingly laboured.

Marcus tapped gently against the window.

“Hey. Hey, buddy. Stay with me.”

Buster opened his eyes briefly.

Then closed them again.

Marcus immediately called 911 and alerted the shopping centre staff.

Every minute mattered

Within minutes, police and animal control officers arrived.

By then, a small group of concerned shoppers had gathered nearby.

An officer attempted to locate the vehicle’s owner through the shopping centre.