Leaving pets in hot cars could lead to big trouble

A car, a hot day and less than 10 minutes is all it takes to give a dog irreversible brain damage.

That’s why officials with the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society are reminding people to leave their dog at home when going running errands in the summer. Humane Society Insp. Clancy Martin said once a vehicle is shut off, it takes less than 10 minutes for a car to reach dangerously high temperatures.

Because dogs don’t sweat, they will pant until exhaustion and unconsciousness.

"Windows down a slight amount doesn’t help enough. Vehicles parked in the shade doesn’t help enough," Martin said. "On a hot day there is no acceptable amount of time for an animal to be in a vehicle."

Not only is it dangerous, it’s also against the law to leave an animal in a car when temperatures are high.

Dog owners can face up to two years in jail, a $60,000 fine and a lifetime ban on owning animals if caught.

"I will break your window. I will take your animal. I will take it immediately to a vet. You will be charged and responsible for the vet bill," said Martin.

Martin said he’s received more than 16 calls for dogs being left in hot vehicles this summer, the most popular call received by the Humane Society. While it’s a shameful act to leave a dog in a car when the sun is out, Martin is encouraging people not to take matters into their own hands when they see a dog in a car.

From hot coffee thrown into a dog owner’s face or "animal abuser" keyed into the side of a car, Martin said he’s seen members of the public vent their frustration toward neglectful owners. But people should call the Humane Society or the police so they can deal with the issue in a more official way.

If owners can’t leave their dog at home, Martin said staying outside of the vehicle with the dog is acceptable, but the dog would probably rather be somewhere else.

"They’d rather be laying on your couch with the air conditioning," Martin said.

Martin said he will charge an owner with failing to provide adequate care, causing unnecessary suffering, causing an animal to be in distress and allowing an animal to remain in distress if he sees a dog in a car on a hot day.