The axe-wielding hero who saved a dog from a stranger’s car by smashing the window said today: ‘I would do the same thing all over again.’
William Morris stepped in after spotting a panting Yorkshire Terrier on the back seat of a VW Golf during the summer heatwave.
The little pooch’s owner went shopping with her daughter in Currys and left the pooch for up to 45 minutes at midday – the hottest time of the day
But luckily, quick-thinking William, 58, noticed the little Terrier overheating – and used his axe to break the passenger seat’s window.
He shattered the glass on the eighth swing – shown in the clip which has been viewed more than 46,000 times.
Fearless William, of Hungerford, Berks, said: ‘The dog was in such distress and it was one of the hottest days of the year.
‘In the car, it was over 33 degrees (91F) and it had been alone in there for 40 minutes.
‘I would have never left the dog and would do the same thing all over again.’
Axe-wielding hero William Morris, who was seen saving a dog from a stranger’s car by smashing the window in a now-viral video, pictured with his own dogs – three Pointers who are seven months, two and seven
William, who works for Woodland Enterprises Ltd – which sells hunting equipment including guns – dialled 999 before being referred to 101 – and being put on hold.
And within minutes, he decided to take matters into his own hands and retrieved an axe from his truck and smashed into the car.
‘I’m licensed to carry all sorts of things as a fire arms dealer – so I was pretty prepared!’ he joked. Time was just ticking away so I knew that I had to do something. It was very fortuitous for the dog.’
Quick-thinking William, 58, noticed the little Terrier overheating – and used his huge axe to break the passenger seat’s window.
He went on: ‘I’ve always been a dog person since I was a young boy. You can never see an animal suffer. I think any animal lover who was put in that situation would do exactly the same. The dog was dying.’
Cops, who were buying lunch at a nearby M&S, were called over to the incident at the Newbury Retail Park in the Berkshire town on Monday.
They sent the little pooch to Falklands Vet – where it remains unknown whether it has survived.
William revealed that the animals are close to his heart – as he’s an owner of three Pointers – who are seven months, two and seven.
‘They still haven’t told me whether he’s alive or not’, William confessed. ‘It’s in the public interest to know.
‘Everyone’s given me full support as I’ve shown the dangers of putting a dog in a hot vehicle.
‘I want people to know that they shouldn’t take their dog out unless it’s absolutely necessary. It’s not fair to leave a dog in these temperatures.’
Bystanders filmed footage of the rescue as the owners shopped in a nearby Currys PC World.
Speaking to The Sun said that the little terrier ‘had become lifeless – its eyes were closed – it looked completely exhausted. The dog was minutes away from dying and I just thought “I need to do something here”.’
‘People were looking around but no one was doing anything. I think more people just need to grow a pair of b******s and do something when something like this happens.’
He added when he saw the owner, she wasn’t emotional, but was ‘very shocked’.
Onlookers spotted the dog panting on the back seat of the VW Golf at the Newbury Retail Park in Berkshire as the country sweltered in a heatwave
The video, which has amassed some 30,000 views on Facebook, shows William Morris using the axe to smash the front passenger window
Bystanders filmed footage of the rescue as the owners shopped in a nearby Currys PC World
William has since been hailed a ‘hero’ on social media.
Police officers buying lunch at a nearby M&S were called over before the dog was taken to a vet to be checked over.
The video, which has amassed some 30,000 views on Facebook, shows the man using the axe to smash the front passenger window.
He successfully breaks it on the eight attempt before the dog is taken out of the boiling hot car.
One shopper said the owner had gone into a Currys store with her daughter.
Police officers buying lunch at a nearby M&S were called over before the dog was taken to a vet to be checked over
She wrote on Facebook: ‘Her car was there before we pulled up. The alarm kept going off when we went to Currys.
‘Ed looked in and the dog was panting trying to get out of the inches of open window.
‘Waited for five minutes then smashed the window. She still hadn’t arrived back. Police were getting lunch in M&S so the guy told him what he had done.
‘Ten mins later she came out of Currys with NOTHING so obviously that was essential. The dog was taken to the vets by an officer.
‘I said [to the owner], “Would you leave her in the car?” She tried to say she had been 20 minutes. More like 45. She’s been reported.’
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: ‘A member of the public did smash a car window to get a dog out of a car.
‘Two of our PCSOs attended, the dog was taken by one of the PCSOs for a check over. The owner of the vehicle returned and was given advice.’