Thanks to the actions of a passer-by, a Labrador was saved from an agonising death inside an over-heated car.

The dog was trapped in the vehicle while its owner visited the Wet 'n' Wild Splashtown water park in Texas on Friday. Xochitl Dalton, who was walking by the car, noticed the dog panting heavily and posted a picture of it to Facebook.

Police soon arrived on scene, as well as friends who had brought a brick and a hammer to free the dog. Eventually, with the help of a park employee, the dog was freed and given medical attention.

Chief J.C. Mosier spoke to the Houston Chronicle about the dog's condition:

"The dog lived but it was really having some problems. It was already going into seizures, they had to pour water all over it. They thought it was dead."

Mikell Bliss, 29, from Wisconsin has been charged with a felony offense of animal cruelty, while the dog has is being cared for by the Heuston SPCA.