A passer-by in Hampton has unknowingly removed a drink driver from the roads after reporting a dog gasping for breath in a car on 27 December.
With the temperature approaching 40 degrees outside the good Samaritan reported the vehicle, that was parked on Hampton Street about 5.30pm.
Further reports were made when the owner of the car began allegedly verbally abusing passers-by questioning him about the dog.
Police attended and intercepted the car a short distance away.
The Sandringham man returned a positive preliminary breath test at the scene.
He was then taken to a police station where he is alleged to have returned an evidentiary breath test of .246, almost five times the legal limit.
The 53-year-old had his licence immediately suspended, the car impounded and will be charged on summons with drink driving and leaving animal unattended in vehicle on extreme weather day.
