Two dogs and a puppy died overnight after they were found in a hot, locked car in Birmingham.

The discovery was made at the Citgo gas station on Bush Boulevard, according to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.

Birmingham police responded to the scene and requested assistance from GBHS Animal Control, said CEO Allison Black Cornelius. When GBHS arrived, police officers had broken out the window and were applying cool towels and water, but one of the dogs had already died from heat stroke.

The animal control officer rushed the two remaining dogs, a female adult, and a puppy, to Steel City Emergency Clinic.

Cornelius said the veterinary teams worked late into the night but were not able to save either.

She praised Birmingham police for their actions.

“It was heartbreaking, and they did everything they could do, but it didn’t work,’’ Cornelius said.

Cornelius said police have a opened an investigation into possible animal cruelty charges. She said she did not have a description of the vehicle.

“This is record heat,’’ Cornelius said. “This is not the time to be taking your pets anywhere with you.”

“If you live out of your car or you’ve been evicted or you’re having some kind of problem, please reach out to the GBHS outreach department, let us see if we can get you some help,’’ she said.

“Please don’t leave your dogs or cats or any kind of pet in your car in this kind of heat,’’ she said. “It only takes a few minutes, and they will suffer from heat stroke and it’s a horrific, suffering death.”

GBHS offers up to a $10,000 reward to anyone that provides information leading to an arrest and conviction for animal cruelty. All tips are confidential.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.