Picture yourself wearing a fur coat as you sit in a vehicle on a hot day. This is the image that the Edmonton Humane Society is promoting as it warns the public about the dangers of leaving your pet in your car during the summer months.
"It's an ongoing issue. It's very frustrating that year after year – in warm spells – people are thinking that it's okay to leave a pet unattended in a vehicle," implored Shawna Randolph, the agency's spokesperson. "It simply is not. As much as the dog likes the car ride, you're putting it at risk."
EHS Peace Officer James said that there would always be a need for vigilance because new reports keep coming in year after year.
Edmonton's emergency responders are taking a more vocal role.
"Fire Rescue cares deeply about people's pets and animals and never wants to encounter them left unattended in hot vehicles," said Edmonton Platoon Chief Barry Lamb. "However, we want to educate the public on signs of animal distress so we are going to calls that are the highest priority."
What to look out for and what to do
James said that there is a progression of indicators that people should pay attention to. They can be found on the EHS's website (at www.edmontonhumanesociety.com) under Animal Protection, Weather Guidelines.
The site also includes links to Alberta's Animal Protection Act, which states that, among other things, "A person who owns or is in charge of an animal … must provide the animal with reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold." People who leave animals in distress in vehicles could face charges under the act.
Animal distress is rated in three levels of priority where Level One is the highest priority because there is imminent distress occurring.
If an animal is in the lowest level of distress, try to find the owners first by having the licence plate announced at surrounding stores. Keep an eye out on the situation, however.
If the animal is in the medium or high levels of distress, call EHS Animal Protection at 780-491-3517. Leave a message with a description of the animal, its signs of distress, and the vehicle, including location and licence plate.
If you don't hear back from the EHS within 15 minutes, call 911.
The EHS only deals with complaints within the city of Edmonton. Officers with its Animal Protection Department can be reached at 780-491-3517 during regular business hours.
If you have a cruelty or animal in distress concern anywhere outside the City of Edmonton, please contact the Alberta SPCA at 780-447-3600.
In St. Albert, such calls can be directed to the RCMP's general complaint line at 780-458-7700.
James added that the public should not resort to drastic action.
"Don't go and try to break into the vehicle yourself. We don't want people breaking and entering. They can be held liable. We don't want them putting themselves in danger. You never know how the dog is going to act especially when it's stressed out."
