Overheated dog lay motionless on California freeway — then officers step in

An “overheated” pup was rescued after being found unable to move on a freeway, California officials said.

Troopers learned there was a sudden traffic back up May 16 on two of the lanes going eastbound on a freeway, according to a Facebook post by California Highway Patrol – Oakland.

State police found an “exhausted dog lying in the roadway, unable to move,” troopers said.

Officers sprung into action and lifted the pup into their car where they eventually brought her to a “cool place to rest” and provided water, troopers said.

She was brought to a nearby shelter where team members said she had “severe heat exhaustion,” officials said.

Now, she’s on the mend, troopers said.

Commenters rushed to thank troopers for “saving the dog,” with one person saying, “Thank God you guys saved this baby.”

“Thank you for saving this precious and beautiful girl,” another wrote.

“Kudos to the cop for doing this,” someone said.

Oakland is about a 10-mile drive northeast from San Francisco.

This story was originally published May 19, 2025 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Overheated dog lay motionless on California freeway — then officers step in."