Arizona firefighters save bulldog from heat exhaustion

Mickey was only in his backyard for 10 minutes, but the hot Arizona sun was too much for the English bulldog. Thanks to some quick work by members of the Peoria Fire Department, the 5-year-dog is safe and recovering.

Mickey's owner, Laura Hernandez, said the dog collapsed after a few minutes in the backyard.

"He was gasping for air," Hernandez told KNXV. "So I automatically saw that he was in distress."

Because the nearest animal was closed, Hernandez drove Mickey to the Peoria Fire Department and asked for help.

"She said, 'My baby's not breathing,'" Fire Capt. Danny Comella said told KNXV. "Then we realized it was a dog. So right away the guys sprung into action."

According to the Peoria Fire-Medical Department's Facebook page, firefighters gave Mickey oxygen and used "cooling techniques" to bring his temperatures down. The firefighters then helped Hernandez find a veterinarian for more treatment and used their firetruck to drive Mickey there, KNXV reported.

"When we pulled up to the animal hospital, we just pulled right in," Comella told the television station. "As soon as we got there they opened the doors and took him into the treatment area."

When temperatures rise, it is a good idea to keep animals that venture outside hydrated.

"They don't have to be outside for a long period of time," Hernandez told KNXV. "Just make sure your animals have enough water."