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Pets at risk as mercury rises

Jul 11, 2012 | 6:58 AM

As the heat soars over these coming days, so does the danger to pets, especially those who might find themselves left in a car or spending hours outside.

Debbie Lehner with the Prince Albert SPCA said dogs should simply never be left in a car in temperatures like what will be seen this week.

“Leaving them in a vehicle for even 5 – 10 minutes can drastically increase the heat in that vehicle and pets can suffer from heat stroke and dehydrate very quickly,” she said.

Lehner added that parking in shade or with the windows cracked simply wasn’t a good enough alternative.

“In +30 C temperatures it’s just not feasible for a pet’s health. You wouldn’t leave a child in a car with the windows cracked for even a minute,” she said.

Not only is it risky to dogs but it’s also illegal. People who leave pets in cars can face a ticket between $150 – $580 and can also be charged under animal endangerment laws.

Lehner said she was thankful that there weren’t many calls about animals being left in cars, but it still happened.

“We do get calls all throughout the year about animals left inside vehicles for long periods of time,” she said. “We haven’t had any calls in the week or so in regards to animals being left in vehicles and that’s a really good thing. I think more and more people are deciding to leave them at home which is where they should be.”

She said the only time its acceptable to leave an animal in a car is if it’s left running with the air conditioning on.

Not just cars

With temperatures rising and the sun beating down, Lehner said people also need to remember that pets are vulnerable just from being outside.

“If they’re leaving their dogs outside, their pets need to have appropriate shelter and food and water at all times—especially water in this heat,” she said.

Anyone who sees a dog left inside a car can call the SPCA at 763-3110. They SPCA has an animal protection officer that will be dispatched to the location.

The city’s bylaw department also investigates such incidents.

adesouza@panow.com

Twitter:@drewdesouza