A Toronto pet owner is facing charges after their puppy was rescued from a hot vehicle at the Vaughan Mills outlet mall, York Regional Police said.
The 20-year-old female is charged with cause animal to be in distress under the Provincial Welfare Animal Services Act following the incident on June 30 when it was a sweltering 29 C.
Police responded to a 911 call about a dog in distress in a hot car and found the small animal inside a white Audi with the doors locked and windows rolled up.
YRP said the dog appeared to be lethargic, was panting heavily, and didn’t have any water.
Officers were able to get into the car by inserting a baton through an opening in the sun roof and use it to unlock the doors.
The dog was rescued and put in an air-conditioned police car and given something to drink while officers waited for the owner to return.
According to YRP, security footage from the mall shows the animal was left in the car for around three hours before it was rescued.
Pet owners are being reminded to never leave an animal unattended in a car, as the inside of a vehicle can heat up quickly, resulting in injury or death.
People who spot a dog in distress in a vehicle are asked to call 911 as a concerned citizen did in this case.
