Edmonton’s animal control staff, emergency crews, and police are reminding drivers of the dangers of leaving pets and children in hot vehicles as the city experiences a heatwave. This warning comes after a surge in calls related to pets and children locked in vehicles.
Since July 1, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services has responded to 24 calls involving pets locked in vehicles. They have also responded to five calls regarding children or adults locked in vehicles.
Leaving children or pets unattended in vehicles can be fatal as temperatures inside cars can quickly reach dangerous levels, even in a matter of minutes.
Edmonton fire officials reported responding to 63 locked-in vehicle calls in July 2023, with 32 involving pets and 31 involving people. In July 2022, they responded to 84 similar incidents.
“We would like to take this opportunity to urge all Edmontonians to reconsider travel plans if there is a possibility that a child or pet may be left unattended in a vehicle, even for a moment,” Edmonton fire said in a statement.
Edmonton Police Service has also responded to two complaints of children or pets locked in vehicles in recent weeks. On Tuesday, they were called to the West Edmonton Mall parking lot to investigate a report of a dog left in an unattended vehicle. The temperature outside was 36 C.
The driver returned to the vehicle after 45 minutes and was arrested and charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
“Leave your pets at home. It’s the safest place for them,” said Dan Kobe, director of communications for the Alberta SPCA.
Police and animal control officials are emphasizing the importance of taking precautions to keep pets cool during hot weather, including providing fresh water, keeping them out of the sun, and brushing their coats to promote air circulation.
The Edmonton Valley Zoo is also taking measures to keep their animals cool during the heatwave. Staff have devised creative solutions, including soaking straw mats for reindeer, to help them stay comfortable.
In a separate incident, police were called to a grocery store parking lot on June 29 after a toddler was left unattended in a locked vehicle for nearly 50 minutes. Witnesses forced the rear window down and removed the child. Charges are pending against the adult female who left the child in the vehicle.
Police are actively reminding the public of the dangers of leaving children and pets in unattended vehicles, highlighting that even vehicles parked in the shade with the windows rolled down can reach extremely high temperatures within minutes.
They are urging anyone who sees a child or pet in distress in a vehicle to call 911 immediately.
Police also state that individuals are legally allowed to break a vehicle window if they see a child in distress due to heat or cold.
According to a report by the Hospital for Sick Children, approximately one child per year in Canada dies from being trapped inside overheated cars. The majority of these incidents occur when a caregiver forgets their child is in the vehicle.
Police warn that pets are even more susceptible to heatstroke than children because they cannot cool themselves by sweating.
Signs of heatstroke in pets include excessive panting or drooling, a dark purple tongue, frantic behavior, loss of bowel control, and lethargy.
The authorities are urging the public to take the necessary precautions to prevent tragedies during the heatwave, ensuring the safety of both children and pets.
