(KINCARDINE, ON) On May 29, 2013 at 6:36 pm, the South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a dog that was locked in a vehicle parked outside the Boston Pizza in Kincardine. Officers arrived and spoke to the owner. The dog appeared to be fine so the owner was cautioned for leaving their pet in a hot car.
A domesticated pet is dependent on the owner for proper care like food, shelter and water and The Criminal Code of Canada has specific sections that deal with the mistreatment of animals.
Cause unnecessary suffering – maximum sentence of 5 years in jail
Injure or endanger an animal – maximum sentence of 5 years in jail
Neglect an animal – maximum sentence of 2 years in jail
On a day where the temperature is 26 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside a vehicle parked in the shade reaches 32 degrees Celsius while the temperature inside a vehicle in the hot sun can reach 71 degrees Celsius. The operating temperature of a sauna is 70 degrees Celcius – 90 degrees Celcius.
Dogs pant to cool themselves, but this is ineffective when they’re surrounded by heat so don’t leave your best friend to suffer in a hot vehicle.
Take good care of your pets, it’s not just the right thing to do, it’s the law.
The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information that can assist police to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or send a web-tip to crimestop-gb.org, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
