Hot temperatures a real danger to pets left in cars

AN INCIDENT LAST WEEK has police reminding pet owners to never leave their pets unattended in a hot car.

On Aug. 3 at approximately 12:44 p.m., Wellington County OPP were contacted by a concerned member of the public after they observed a small dog inside a vehicle with one window down a crack that was parked in front of a store in Fergus. The dog was crying and panting heavily. The owner eventually returned to the vehicle after 10-15 minutes and was warned by police. The dog was extremely thirsty and was given water but otherwise appeared to be unharmed.

As a result, the OPP is urging all pet owners to never leave any pets in their vehicles unattended. This could have deadly consequences for the animal. If it’s too hot for you to sit inside the vehicle then it’s too hot for your pet, police say.

On a day where the temperature is 26 degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle parked in the shade reaches 32 degrees. If you leave your motor vehicle in the sun the temperature can reach 71 degrees.

Dogs and cats pant to cool themselves, but this is ineffective when they are surrounded by heat. On summer days the air and upholstery in your vehicle can heat up to high temperatures that make it impossible for pets to cool themselves. Your pet will be more comfortable if left at home.

A domesticated pet is dependent on the owner for proper care such as food, shelter and water. The Criminal Code of Canada has specific sections that deal with the mistreatment of animals. • Cause unnecessary suffering – maximum sentence of five years in jail • Injure or endanger an animal – maximum sentence of five years in jail • Neglect an animal – maximum sentence of two years in jail If you see an animal in a vehicle on a warm or humid day who you believe may be in distress, gather as much information as you can. Obtain the make, model and licence plate of the vehicle and immediately enter the store and request that the owner be paged and contact police.