Kelowna Mounties save pug, put positive spin on potentially deadly situation

KELOWNA – Kelowna Mounties managed to put a positive spin on what could have been a deadly situation.

"We wish to remind dog owners that their furry pals would rather stay home than be left in a hot car. Thursday afternoon police located a pug that had been in distress inside a SUV, while the outside temperatures in #Kelowna were 35 C," reads a Tweet posted by the RCMP.

"The cute pug dubbed #McPuggerson, by RCMP Const. Boffy, was quickly initiated into the #RCMP Police Dog Section, however he could not jump the fences required. He was medically cleared by a local vet & turned over to (regional district)
animal control. #HotPetsNotCool"

This is an issue every summer in the Okanagan and this year is clearly no exception.

Kelowna  SPCA branch manager Sean Hogan said earlier in the season the fact people are still leaving dogs in their cars is “ridiculous."

1/2 @KelownaRCMP wish to remind dog owners that their furry pals would rather stay home than be left in a hot car. Thursday afternoon police located a Pug that had been in distress inside a SUV, while the outside temperatures in #Kelowna were 35°C ?? pic.twitter.com/IZ5VOak6Ac

— Kelowna RCMP (@KelownaRCMP) August 9, 2019

"Bottom line is: leave your pets at home," he said.

Hogan stressed that whether a dog is in a car for four minutes or four hours, the risk of heatstroke is always present.

Leaving a dog in a hot enclosure or vehicle without adequate ventilation and sufficient shade violates Central Okanagan regional district Bylaw No. 1343. Owners can be fined $150 for leaving their dog in their car.

If you spot a dog in a hot car call the B.C. SPCA hotline 1-855-622-7722 or local police.

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