A dog in the US state of Vermont has survived being locked in a van for 19 days in weather below freezing.

Michou, a 12-year-old Miniature Poodle, was accidentally locked in the back of his owners’ van and left in an airport car park while his owner went on holiday.

Michou was left without food or water and had to endure temperatures well below freezing. The dog was only discovered after a passer-by heard him howling and smelt a ‘foul odour’.

Airport officers managed to break into the car and rescue Michou, who was barely alive after nearly 20 days without food or water.

“The dog is going to remain in foster care for a considerable amount of time, it will be months before the dog has even recovered,” said an airport spokesperson.

Police believed the owner had locked Michou in his van by mistake, but still enforced a $100 fine and insisted that he give the dog up for adoption.