Don't leave kids, pets in cars
Article content
Much of southern Ontario has been experiencing uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity during a heat wave over the past week.
Members of the Oxford County Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P) are reminding the public not to leave children or animals locked in vehicles this summer.
“We’ve heard of children and dogs being left in unattended vehicles and we want to stress that anytime in the summer time and especially during this heat wave, that children (and pets) are at risk when left alone in a car for dehydration, heat stroke or even death,” said constable Stacey Culbert of the Oxford O.P.P. “We want to make sure that people realize that a parked car can exceed 50 degrees Celsius in just minutes.”
Culbert said it was important for people to plan their travel to ensure that they won’t have to leave a pet in a hot vehicle and that a child should never be left alone.
Oxford County O.P.P has not had any direct calls in the Tillsonburg area related to pets or children in locked vehicles this summer noted Culbert, however, police are stepping up patrols in and around parking lots, stores lots and similar areas to ensure that people are making their children’s and pets health and well-being a priority.
“The summer heat is upon us and officers are doing regular checks through parking lots and similar areas to make sure that that’s not happening,” she added.
If a situation is considered life threatening – for a child or animal, Culbert advises the public to call police immediately using 911 and if deemed necessary, taking further action to save a life.
“If you believe it’s a dire circumstance and you’re concerned about either a child or a pet, and if you’ve contacted the authorities but you still feel there’s an emergency situation then use whatever means necessary,” said Culbert. “And that’s what we’re seeing happen - is that people are having to break open windows.”
Veterinarian, Dr. Amanda Palmer, with Edwards Veterinary Services in Tillsonburg said that people need to be aware of the serious health affects that a pet can suffer when left alone in a hot vehicle.
“Panting is their form of sweating and in this heat you’re going to have adverse effects very rapidly,” said Palmer. “And there’s a compounded issue with the stress of that dog being left in the car on top of the heat.”
Palmer said she hasn’t seen any cases of pets left alone in vehicles so far this summer, or during the heat wave in the past week but sadly, there was an incident last year where a dog was left alone in a car. It did not have a happy ending.
“Last year we had a case, I don’t know exactly how long the dog was in the car but unfortunately the animal had to be euthanized,” she said. “That’s how severe it is.
“You run into dehydration, there’s blood pressure problems, cardiac issues, respiratory problems and even neurological problems. It could get so severe that heat stroke would ultimately kill them.”
If you do see an animal in a hot car and need to remove them, Palmer wants to remind people to cool the body temperature slowly – put them in a cooler environment such as the shade or in an air conditioned room or use a cool, damp towel to wet their coat.
“You don’t typically want to throw ice cold water on a body that’s suffering – it’s such a drastic temperature change that the body could go into some sort of shock,” said Palmer noting the best advice in most situations.
“Just don’t bring them. They need to stay at home.”