Halifax Regional Police have charged a man for leaving a dog in a hot car in Dartmouth today.

At approximately 11:40 a.m. police responded to a call of a dog in distress inside a car in a parking lot in Dartmouth. A passerby opened the car door and took the dog out prior to police arriving. When the owner returned to his vehicle police issued a summary offence ticket for causing an animal distress under section 26(1) of the Animal Protection Act. This offence carries a fine of $697.50.

On a warm day, even with the windows open, a parked vehicle quickly becomes like a furnace and presents potentially fatal conditions for pets left inside. When the temperatures start to climb, we encourage pet owners to not leave their pets unattended in vehicles, even for a few minutes.

If you can’t bear to leave your furry friend at home, consider some alternatives to leaving them in the vehicle:

•             Consider using a drive-thru or curbside pickup. Your pet can sit comfortably with you in your car while you wait for your meal or service.

•             It’s also important to keep your pet hydrated. Depending on the length of time of your stops, consider packing water and a dish.

If you see a pet in immediate distress, call 902-490-5020 and take directions from the call taker.

Source: Release