Over 1,200 calls to B.C. SPCA reporting pets left in hot cars this summer

by Stephen Hui on August 18th, 2015 at 9:45 AM

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The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says it has already received more reports of pets left in hot cars this summer than it did last year.

"BC SPCA has received more than 1,200 calls about animals left in hot vehicles this summer, and that number is on the rise, and already higher than the approximately 1100 calls the SPCA responded to in 2014. The BC SPCA wants to remind everyone to leave their pets at home in this hot weather," B.C. SPCA chief prevention and enforcement officer Marcie Moriarty said in a news release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture.

According to the release, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act provides for penalties of up to $75,000 in fines and two years in prison for humans who "expose pets to excessive heat and/or deprive them of adequate ventilation".

It also notes SPCA officers can force their way into locked vehicles to free a sweltering animal.

The B.C. government says it will consult with the SPCA, the B.C. College of Veterinarians, Union of B.C. Municipalities, local governments, and police forces on ways to "increase the options to rescue animals that have been left in cars and are suffering heat related distress".

"Targeted consultations" are set for this summer and fall, with new measures expected to be in place by spring 2016.

Anyone spotting an animal trapped in a hot car can call the SPCA's Animal Cruelty Hotline at 1-855-622-7722.