Provincial police are investigating after discovering a dog was left to die inside of a vehicle in Simcoe last Wednesday.
Officers attended an address after receiving a complaint that a dog owner had left their pet inside of the car after coming home from running errands. It was determined that the owner had forgotten about their family pet, and when they returned to the vehicle the dog was found deceased in the back seat.
Amid last week's heat warning, Simcoe experienced a daytime high of 32.2 C on July 8. A vehicle parked in the sun can reach an internal temperature upwards of 71 C. Police say these conditions are extremely hot, have devastating effects on dogs and cats, and make it impossible for them to cool off.
Police continue to investigate the incident and say the charges are pending.
The OPP urges all pet owners to leave their animals at home, or with a trusted family member or friend during the hot summer days.