Hot Cars are Dangerous for Dogs
A few weeks ago, the news in BC reported that 6 dogs had gone missing in the Vancouver area while they were in the care of a local dog walker. Tragically, the bodies of those dogs were found in a ditch a few days later. The dog walker may now face animal cruelty charges, as recommended by the BCSPCA.
At the time of the incident, the dog walker had reported that the dogs were stolen from her vehicle while she was away from the vehicle for a few minutes. Later it was discovered that the dogs were left in the back of the truck for an undisclosed period of time, where they perished in the heat of the vehicle.
All animal owners and caregivers should be aware of the dangers of leaving pets unattended in vehicles on warm days. According to the BCSPCA, a vehicle's interior can reach dangerous temperatures in just 10 minutes on a warm day, even if the vehicle is parked in the shade, windows are open, and water is left for the animal. Dogs don't have sweat glands like humans do, therefore they cool themselves by panting and releasing heat through their paws, which the warm interior of a car does not allow them to do.
On warm days, please do your pets a favour and leave them at home instead of leaving them in the vehicle. Their life could depend on it!
For more information, please contact the BCSPCA, or your local branch of SPCA.
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