Delta police are reminding residents to leave their pets at home after an officer was forced to break two car windows to rescue a pair of dogs in distress at Tsawwassen Mills Sunday afternoon.
The police officer along with a Delta bylaw officer responded to the first incident at 1 p.m. in the mall parking lot.
Delta police public affairs coordinator Sharlene Brooks said a Boston Terrier pup was in distress due to the high temperature in the vehicle.
“The officer was forced to break the car window to rescue the dog,” said Brooks. “The temperature reading inside of the car was 43c at the time.”
Brooks said while the officer was dealing with that incident, another concerned citizen reported another dog, a Husky bred, in a second vehicle a short distance away.
“Again the officer broke the window and the temperature reading was again close to 43c,” added Brooks. “The dog was very much in distress.”
Police are still investigating both cases. The owners, who are reported to be residents of Harrison Hot Springs and Victoria, are facing fines of up to $150 under Delta bylaws and the Tsawwassen First Nation animal control regulation.
Brooks said the owner of the Husky returned to their vehicle around 2:50 p.m., an hour and 20 minutes from when it was rescued.
“That could have been a devastating outcome for that little Husky. It only takes a few minutes in that vehicle with no access to fresh air or water,” said Brooks. “The misconception is even though it may feel cooler outside, the temperature on the inside of the vehicle is far greater than what is outside. Don’t underestimate the heat. Don’t leave your pets in the car. Leave them at home with cool air and water. We could have ended up, quite frankly, with tragic results had people not called. Those concerned citizens likely saved those animals lives.”
