As warm weather approaches, Vancouver Island officials are reminding the public not to leave animals behind in cars.
This warning comes from the Oak Bay Police Department after they received a report of two dogs locked inside a vehicle parked in the 2500 block of Estevan Avenue on April 24.
鈥淧olice attended and saw that the dogs inside the car appeared to be overheating,鈥� Oak Bay PD said in a news release. 鈥淛ust prior to police taking action to assist the dogs, the owner walked up and apologized for leaving them in the vehicle.鈥�
Leaving animals in hot cars can put them at risk, according to the B.C. SPCA.
"Harmful and even life-threatening effects can occur in a short time," the non-profit says on its website. "Dogs can鈥檛 release heat by sweating, as humans do, so their internal body temperature rises more quickly."
