Two dogs were given life-saving treatment after police rescued them from a locked vehicle in Tuggeranong after reports they were in distress in hot conditions.

About 4pm on Wednesday, police were called to a shopping centre car park where the dogs had been left inside a parked car.

When officers arrived, they observed both dogs in a very distressed state. They reported that the vehicle was hot to touch and all windows were fully closed.

Police gained access to the car and immediately took the dogs to a nearby veterinary clinic, where they received life-saving treatment.

Sgt Mick Serbatoio said the incident highlighted the dangers of leaving animals inside vehicles during warm weather.

“Leaving a dog in a hot car can turn fatal within minutes, especially with high temperatures being forecast,” he said.

“Fortunately, bystanders contacted police quickly, allowing officers to intervene before the situation became tragic.”

Anyone who sees an animal in distress inside a vehicle is urged to contact Domestic Animal Services Rangers on 132281 or police on Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.