FRESNO – Tuesday afternoon Fresno Polcie Officers Martin VanOverbeek and Charles Renfro were assigned to patrol crime “hot spots” in the City of Fresno as part of the Department’s Summer Deployment plan. While patrolling, the officers observed a suspicious gold Saturn parked near Fifth and Clay with the windshield wipers running, but nobody around. The officers ran the vehicle’s license plate and discovered it was stolen.

When the officers got out to investigative further, they looked through the windows and saw a small white poodle lying motionless on the rear floorboard. The poodle appeared to be in distress due to the heat, but the officers discovered the Saturn’s doors had been locked by the suspects when they abandoned it.

Officers quickly forced entry through the vehicle’s window and quickly began attempts to cool the dog down and provide him water. Officers checked with neighbors and contacted the owner of the stolen vehicle, but could not determine who the dog belonged to.

Neighbors estimated the vehicle had been abandoned at the location approximately 30 minutes before officers discovered it. It is unknown why the suspects choose to leave the dog locked in the stolen car, with the windows up and in full sun, when they abandoned it.

The dog was transported to Fresno Police Headquarters, where arrangements were made to meet with SPCA. However, upon learning of the dog’s plight, a police captain offered to take him home and foster him until either his owner is located or a suitable adoption can be arranged.

The poodle is a male, approximately 15 pounds. Although he was dirty when discovered, the poodle is white and appeared to have been groomed fairly recently with a traditional poodle haircut.

Anyone with information about the animal is asked to call Captain Lydia Carrasco at (559) 621-2151.