WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police are again reminding residents not to leave pets in vehicles during warm weather.
“If it’s too hot for you to sit inside your vehicle without the air-conditioning running, then it’s too hot for your pet,” Wellington OPP officials stated in a July 14 press release.
“On a day where the temperature is 26 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside a vehicle parked in the shade reaches 32 degrees Celsius.
“If you leave your motor vehicle in the sun the temperature can reach 71 degrees Celsius. This is extremely hot and can have devastating effects on your pet.”
Police explained 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.”
OPP officials say domesticated pets are dependent on owners for proper care such as food, shelter and water and the Criminal Code of Canada has specific sections that deal with the mistreatment of animals, including: causing unnecessary suffering, injuring or endangering an animal, and neglecting an animal.
“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,” police stated. “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.”
