Nova Scotia RCMP received 69 complaints of dogs left in hot cars since June

RCMP have had 69 complaints of dogs being left in vehicles during hot days since the start of June — and 15 of them were in the Halifax area.

Cpl. Dal Hutchinson, a spokesperson for the RCMP, says that it’s concerning that people continue to leave their furry friends in their vehicles, even after repeated campaigns have warned them not to do so.

“We continue to educate people about the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars but we’re still seeing individuals leaving their pets unattended in vehicles on hot days,” says Hutchinson. “It’s really not worth the risk of putting your furry friend in distress or danger. It’s best to leave your pet at home.”

READ MORE: What you should do if you see a dog left in a hot car

An animal in distress is likely to have an anxious or staring expression, muscle tremors, red or blue tongue or lips or convulsions and vomiting.

If the animal is alert, standing upright and barking, it is not in distress.

READ MORE: On a wing and a prayer: ‘Mushkadoodles’ arrive in Halifax

RCMP recommend you follow these steps if you see a dog in distress:

•  Look for the owner of the car. Go to nearby stores and using the license plate, have the owner paged.
• Attempt to provide shade or water for the animal.
• Call your local police.
• Stay at the car until the police officer arrives.
• File a report with the Nova Scotia SPCA online or by calling 1-888-703-7722.