Winnipeg's Cassandra Esslinger says she does not think the owner of a dog she helped rescue from a hot car on Sunday learned a lesson.

Esslinger was walking through the parking lot of Buffet Square near Kingsbury Avenue and McPhillips Street on Sunday around 5:30 p.m. when she heard barking. She realized it was coming from a large black and white labrador-mix sitting in the front seat of a sedan.

"I panicked….I was very very upset because it's never acceptable to do that," she says.

Esslinger says even though it was early evening, the temperature outside was still very warm. She could visibly see the dog was "panting" in the car. Windows were cracked open but the engine was off and there appeared to be no water bowl.

"(The owners) went for dinner with their dog locked in the car. It's not like it was a 7-Eleven where they quickly ran in to go grab something," she says.

Esslinger says she thought it would take too long to track down owners in a restaurant. She debated breaking a car window before deciding to call Winnipeg Police's non-emergency number first.

Dog left in car while owner dined at buffet

"Ultimately I wanted to get the dog out and I was panicking. I was literally so upset that I was shaking," she remembers.

After calling the non-emergency police line, Esslinger was advised to call 911. According to Esslinger, about 10 minutes later Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service arrived on scene.

Esslinger says just as emergency workers approached the vehicle to rescue the dog, the owner came out of Buffet Square and disputed claims he was in danger.

"She was rolling her eyes at me," says Esslinger, "They just don't understand that even with the windows open, a breeze doesn't come through enough to keep the car cool. It's literally a slow-cooker."

What to do if you spot a pet left in a car

Winnipeg Police Constable and public information officer, Jason Michalyshen, says when a member of the public sees a pet left in a car on a hot day, the first step should always be trying to contact the owner.

"It could be a little bit of a needle-in-a-haystack situation but if they can contact management (of the business near the car)...provide the description of the vehicle and a plate number...that might be the first plan of attack," he says.

If owners cannot be found, Michalyshen says the public should not damage or break into a vehicle. He says concerned citizens should call the Winnipeg Police's non-emergency number, the city's Animal Services Agency, or the Winnipeg Humane Society for assistance.

Constable Michalyshen also says it is "rare" in Winnipeg for owners to be fined for leaving pets in cars on a hot day.

Correction: an earlier version of this article stated the emergency workers removed the dog from the car. In fact Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service arrived just as the car owner exited the restaurant. The owner was able to open the car door and allow workers to check the animal's health.