Dog rescued from hot car  in Grand Bend June 12, 2016. Photo via Facebook. Dog rescued from hot car in Grand Bend June 12, 2016. Photo via Facebook.
Chatham

Smash Car Window To Save Dog On A Hot Day?

What should you do if a dog is spotted inside a vehicle on a sweltering summer day?

A passerby recently noticed a small white dog left inside a black BMW in Grand Bend. The video shows him smashing the back window with a large piece of concrete to rescue the pooch.

The window was left open a crack and the dog was soaked.

Executive Director of the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society Melanie Coulter says the public should call authorities first and think twice before smashing windows.

"I couldn't legally say it would be OK because it would technically still be breaking into their vehicle and causing damage to someone's property," she says. "You would certainly have a defence that the life was at stake and that it was necessary, but it could result in potential charges or going to court or civil matters."

There are some situations when it's acceptable to leave your dog in the car.

"It is something people really need to use good judgement. If you're going to leave them in a vehicle make sure you're keeping an eye on the clock and not leaving them for an excessive period of time," she says. "The safest thing is if there's any question at all is to just leave them at home."

However, she says each circumstance is different -- a dog may have breathing issues, the vehicle could be in the sun or shade, the windows may be tinted and most importantly, the overall temperature inside the car.

They say it can only takes minutes for a vehicle to heat up on a hot day.

"Heat stroke is horrible for the animal," says Coulter. "Basically their organs are essentially melting from being overheated."

The humane society gets a "fair number of calls" about animals left inside hot vehicles, but Coulter says it seems to be decreasing.

"The message is starting to get out there," she says.

A message that if ignored can result in some serious penalties . The OPP says anyone found guilty of causing suffering to an animal can be jailed from 18 months to five years or receive a penalty of up to $10,000.

And if you decide to smash someone's window to save an animal in distress, Windsor police say you could face mischief charges and be liable for damage.

In the Grand Bend incident, police say they were unable to identify the man who shattered the window. The owners of the dog, and the vehicle, haven't been charged, however the investigation is ongoing.

A video posted by Will Costa (@lifewithwill) on Jun 11, 2016 at 6:16pm PDT

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