**** RCMP Media Release
With the summer weather finally here, RCMP and SPCA are encouraging motorists to think twice before leaving your pets and children in your vehicle for any amount of time.
In the time it takes to run a quick errand, the interior of vehicles can heat up fast – making it intolerable for pets and children. Nova Scotia RCMP’s Cpl. Jennifer Clarke and Sp. Cst. Jo-Anne Landsburg with the Nova Scotia SPCA demonstrated today how uncomfortable it can get inside a parked vehicle, proving temperatures can get high enough to seriously harm or kill a pet or child if left for too long.
“Each year, the RCMP in Nova Scotia responds to complaints of animals being left in vehicles,” says Cpl. Jennifer Clarke. “When the weather is warm, it’s best to leave your furry friend home or visit pet friendly establishments to avoid a potentially tragic outcome.”
According to the SPCA, signs that an animal could be in distress include:
- Exaggerated panting
- Rapid or erratic pulse
- Anxious or staring expression
- Weakness and muscle tremors
- Lack of coordination
- Red or blue tongue and lips
- Convulsions or vomiting
- Collapse or coma
Remember, if the animal is alert, standing upright and barking, they are likely not in distress. Here are things to do if you comeacross an animal in a vehicle that appears to be in distress:
- Look for the owner of the car. Go to nearby stores and have the owner paged.
- If you cannot locate the owner, call your local police and stay at the vehicle until police arrive. Do not contact police unless the animal is obviously distressed.
- File a report with the Nova Scotia SPCAonline or by calling 1-888-703-7722. Ensure that you obtain a license plate of the vehicle.
