Many of us know from our own experiences how hot a parked car can get in the summer. How many times have you climbed into unbearable sauna type temps after running errands? You've probably also noticed that parking under a tree has little to zero effect on the temperature that can be reached inside a vehicle that has been left standing for any length of time. Cracking the window open for "fresh air" is also non-effective for cooling purposes. Leaving a dish of water in a hot car while a dog waits for its human to return is also an insufficient guard against heat exhaustion and dehydration for the captive animal.
Some pet owners are still telling themselves that it's OK to leave their pets in vehicles for "just a moment" while they dash into a store. Actually, its not OK and, in fact, its quite cruel to leave any animal unattended in a sweltering vehicle for any length of time. It takes less then 10 minutes for the temperature in a parked car to rise to 102 degrees Celsius. In 30 minutes the temperature can sky rocket to a baking hot 120 degrees Celsius. No living creature should be expected to sit calmly and quietly in such an environment. The best place for your pet to be while you run errands is safely at home. They might miss you but the silver lining is that they will be safe and comfortable and ready for lots of snuggles when you walk in the door.
Some pet owners are still telling themselves that it's OK to leave their pets in vehicles for "just a moment" while they dash into a store. Actually, its not OK and, in fact, its quite cruel to leave any animal unattended in a sweltering vehicle for any length of time. It takes less then 10 minutes for the temperature in a parked car to rise to 102 degrees Celsius. In 30 minutes the temperature can sky rocket to a baking hot 120 degrees Celsius. No living creature should be expected to sit calmly and quietly in such an environment. The best place for your pet to be while you run errands is safely at home. They might miss you but the silver lining is that they will be safe and comfortable and ready for lots of snuggles when you walk in the door.
Many provinces and states are bringing pet safety laws into effect that will in essence protect the rights of animals trapped in hot vehicles. This awareness does not, however, ensure that pets are no longer being locked in hot vehicles for short and long periods of time. So the question becomes, what to do if you come across an animal suffering in a vehicle?
There are several things you can do to immediately control the situation:
There are several things you can do to immediately control the situation:
- get on your cell phone and call your local animal control centre
- call the non emergency police number
- enter local businesses to search for the owner
- call a tow truck company to have them open the car doors
- call 911 if the animal appears to be suffering, i.e. extreme lethargy, extreme panting, thick drooling saliva, seizures, loss of consciousness
- in life or death situations, try the car door, it could be unlocked
- last resort life saving effort is breaking into the vehicle to rescue an animal in distress
Seeing an animal suffering is an emotional charged experience so it's important to keep calm regardless of the situation you may be involved in. While the survival of innocent animals is utmost, staying calm is the best way to navigate a difficult scenario. If you do see an animal clearly suffering from heat exposure, remember that your composure could be the defining factor in saving a life.
Not all provinces are on board with the idea of smashing the glass of a vehicle to save animals and, in some cases charges have been laid against the rescuer. In other cases, authorities will fine the pet owner but the law is not as yet clearly defined as to what is a suitable punishment. There are provisions in The Animal Care Act of Manitoba that state an animal is defined as being in distress if there is "confinement with insufficient ventilation" but nowhere does the Act indicate that being trapped in a hot car is actionable.
Not all provinces are on board with the idea of smashing the glass of a vehicle to save animals and, in some cases charges have been laid against the rescuer. In other cases, authorities will fine the pet owner but the law is not as yet clearly defined as to what is a suitable punishment. There are provisions in The Animal Care Act of Manitoba that state an animal is defined as being in distress if there is "confinement with insufficient ventilation" but nowhere does the Act indicate that being trapped in a hot car is actionable.
All across Canada the laws are slowly being rewritten to consider the rights of animals and their rescuers. In the meantime, it may be up to kind and caring citizens like you and me to keep a watchful eye out for the safety of beings incapable of asking for help. Don't be afraid to speak up, reach out for help, involve others and, save a life.
RSS Feed
