Sheri, a 3-month-old Poodle mix, was taken to a Riverside animal shelter after an animal control officer found it inside a minivan, parked outside a Wal-Mart.
Authorities said the windows were cracked open, but it was still too hot. The officer jimmied one of the doors open and saved the dog.
The dog's temperature reached 103.7 degrees, which is above the normal temperature of about 102 degrees. Officials said that although it's only a small degree in difference, anything nearing 104 degrees could prove to be fatal for a dog.
Sheri was quickly stabilized and returned to her owner, who was cited and fined $121.
