Two police officers smashed a car window to save a dog they feared was overheating - to find it was only a cuddly toy. The PCs became concerned about the "sleeping" animal after being alerted by a member of the public. When it would not be roused, they smashed the window of the Mercedes coupe fearing it would be harmed in the 18C temperatures. It was only when they reached inside to rescue the pooch that they realised it was merely a stuffed cuddly toy worth £4.50. Owner Gordon Williams, 80, has now told how he returned to his car to find the backseat covered in broken glass and an official note, reading: "Smashed your window re concern for animal on rear seat." The police force has agreed to pay to the damage to allow the retired mining engineer to replace his window. Mr Williams, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, told The Sun: "I guess they felt like idiots." Nottinghamshire Police said: "The call was made in good faith by a passer-by. "In this case officers believed a dog could be suffering due to the heat of the day and its life was potentially at risk, so felt there was no other option but to enter the vehicle. "This is a perfect example of why drivers need to think about what they leave on view in their car, both in terms of other people's perception of the objects and in a bid to deter opportunist thieves."