NBC Anchor's "Apology" To Dog He Found Locked In A Hot Car Goes Viral

TV news anchor Kyle Clark, from NBC's News 9 in Colorado, took to the airwaves to share a powerful story and a heartfelt apology — that he hopes will resonate among people with pets.

In the very personal and stirring segment, Clark describes an encounter he had on a hot day recently in a Denver parking lot. It was there that he heard the cries of a small dog trapped inside a car, left unattended to suffer in the scorching heat, and was compelled to try to help.

The video, posted to Clark's Facebook page last week, has been viewed more than 1.2 million times, and has nearly 21,000 shares.

The person could have potentially been committing a crime because leaving an animal in a hot vehicle constitutes animal cruelty in Denver and is punishable with a fine of up to $999 and/or one year in jail, according to the Denver Animal Shelter.

The organisation notes that temperatures can reach 120 degrees in minutes inside a car on a hot day, so dogs should not be left inside even for a short time. Dogs cannot sweat, so they can quickly overheat and suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation.

The animal shelter also offers tips on how to help if you see a dog in distress in a hot car. Check for panting, glazed eyes, dark tongue or vomiting, and immediately call local animal protection to report the situation.