Dogs best left at home in summer, says SPCA

Dogs should be left at home, not in hot cars this summer.

“The risks of heat stroke are real and can devastate an animal’s well-being in as little as 10 minutes of intense heat exposure,” says Sean Hogan, manager of the Kelowna SPCA.

In 2017, the Kelowna SPCA responded to more than 140 calls about hot animals in cars. So far this year, they have had 73 calls. Anyone who sees a dog in distress in a hot car is asked to call the Kelowna SPCA. If it is after hours, call either the non-emergency RCMP line or 911 if it is an emergency.

“It’s a very time-sensitive situation,” said Hogan.

In the Central Okanagan, dog owners can be ticketed $150 for confining a dog inside a vehicle or an enclosure without adequate ventilation and shade.

“Regional district dog control officers will enforce and ticket offenders at the recommendation of the Kelowna BC SPCA,” said Bruce Smith, spokesperson for the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

In 2017, two tickets were issued. So far this year, one ticket has been issued.

“We’d rather not give any tickets at all,” said Smith. “The important point here is . . . preventing the circumstances from happening in the first place.”

Members of the public are asked not to break car windows if they see a hot dog in a car.

“It can worsen and startle the animal in the vehicle,” said Hogan. “They may also have to deal with glass shards on the seat, which can injure them. They may break free. They may run into traffic.”

Someone who breaks a window could also face criminal charges for mischief, said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

Instead, the RCMP and the SPCA have formed a partnership with Mario’s Towing, which will open the car doors to get the dogs out if needed.

However, the call must come to the SPCA or the RCMP first.