With the arrival of warm summer weather, the South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) wants to remind pet owners that a hot vehicle is no place for a pet. A domesticated pet is dependent on the owner for proper care like food, shelter and water.

On a day where the temperature is 26 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside a vehicle parked in the shade reaches 32 degrees Celsius while the temperature inside a vehicle in the hot sun can reach 71 degrees Celsius. The operating temperature of a sauna is 70 degrees Celsius - 90 degrees Celsius.

The Criminal Code of Canada has sections that deal with the mistreatment of animals.

Ø Cause unnecessary suffering - maximum sentence of 5 years in jail
Ø Injure or endanger an animal - maximum sentence of 5 years in jail
Ø Neglect an animal - maximum sentence of 2 years in jail

Take good care of your pets, it's not just the right thing to do, it's the law.

source: media release, South Bruce OPP