PALM COAST, Fla. (CBS12) — A tip from a passerby led to the arrest of two South Florida men after two dogs and two pigeons were rescued from the back of a sweltering U-Haul.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded Thursday to the RaceTrac at 301 Palm Coast Parkway Northeast in Palm Coast after a caller reported seeing a dog trying to climb out of the back of a moving U-Haul with the roll-up door partially open.

The caller told deputies it was “a terrible sight” and reported the driver after seeing the animal in distress.

Deputies located the U-Haul and spoke with the driver, 70-year-old Angel Valdes of Miami. When asked whether the dogs were in distress, investigators said Valdes told them the animals were fine and “just needed water.”

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Deputies said they could see two large noses pushing through a gap beneath the truck’s rear door. When the door was opened, they found two dogs panting heavily inside.

According to investigators, a 70-pound pit bull mix was struggling to stand, while an 80-pound English bulldog could not stand at all. Both dogs were lying in their own urine and had to be removed by deputies because they were unable to get out on their own.

The family told investigators they were moving from Miami to Savannah, Georgia, and placed the dogs in the cargo area because their other vehicle was too crowded. Deputies said they determined there was enough room in the other vehicle to transport both dogs.

Palm Coast Animal Control responded and determined the dogs were suffering from neglect and needed immediate veterinary care.

While inspecting the cargo area, deputies said they heard chirping coming from a closed storage box with no air holes. Inside, they found two full-grown pigeons that were also suffering from a lack of air and water.

Animal Control took custody of both dogs and both pigeons and transported them to East Coast Animal Hospital for emergency treatment.

Deputies arrested Valdes and his son, 35-year-old Roy Valdes Hernandez, also of Miami, on animal cruelty charges. Both were taken to jail and later released after posting a $500 bond.

FCSO Sheriff Rick Staly put the animal abuse case into perspective, saying:

If you wouldn’t ride in a metal box in 102-degree heat with no air, don’t force an animal to do it. This family had room to bring their dogs up front, but chose to let them cook in the back of a U-Haul instead.”

The sheriff’s office is reminding residents not to leave children or pets unattended in vehicles during extreme heat.