THUNDER BAY - A dog left unattended in a hot vehicle has landed two Thunder Bay residents with fines of $200.
According to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a 68-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman, both of Thunder Bay, pleaded guilty to causing an animal to be in distress under provincial animal welfare legislation. On Aug. 31, a Justice of the Peace fined them each $200.
Ontario SPCA officers responded to a business near Memorial Avenue and Central Avenue on June 18, 2018 after receiving reports of a dog left inside a vehicle.
Officers observed a terrier-type dog inside panting heavily and a temperature probe placed through the window indicated a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius inside.
The owners of the dog were located and removed the animal from the vehicle. OSPCA officers ordered the owners to have the dog examined by a veterinarian immediately, which revealed the dog had a very high body temperature.
The dog was kept for observation before being released.
Lynn Michaud, a senior inspector with the Ontario SPCA, said the quick response from officers helped save the dog from suffering serious injury.
To report suspected animal cruelty, call the OSPCA at 310-7722 or local police.
