(Photo courtesy West Shore RCMP)
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP say they’ve been getting quite a few calls about pets left in hot cars… and with the weather staying warm they’re reminding people to leave their pets at home if they can.
Corporal Krista Hobday says if you have take them with you, don’t leave them unattended in a vehicle.
She also says a lot of people mistakenly think police can just come ’round and break a car window.
Hobday also says if you do see a situation you think needs attention, RCMP shouldn’t be your first call.
Police say try the local SPCA first at 250-746-4646, or the Animal Cruelty Hotline at 1-855-622-7722.
If the SPCA is not available and the animal is in distress, you can call the RCMP non-emergency line 250-748-5522.
These type of calls are stressful for everyone involved.
adds Cpl. Hobday. She says the following steps may assist you in locating the owner of the vehicle and documenting the incident.
- Record the vehicle description and licence plate number and canvass nearby businesses by contacting their service desk. If the business has a public announcement system they can assist you by alerting their customers.
- If you are in a park or other non-commercial area, call out to see if anyone is nearby that may be returning to the vehicle. If you are in a residential area, start knocking on doors.
- Record any information that may assist the SPCA in their investigation, are the windows up or down, is there a water source, leather or upholstered seats, what is the animal doing; panting, whimpering, lethargic, vomiting, non-responsive to window knocks and verbal commands.
