A Dover Centre man has been charged after a dog was found in a hot vehicle this weekend.
Manager of Animal Control Chatham-Kent Benjamin Van Eyk said an animal control officer found the dog unattended in a locked vehicle with the windows rolled up on Wellington Street West on Sunday.
"Officers took multiple temperature readings of the vehicle using a temperature gun. The reading ranged from 30-50 degrees Celsius inside of the vehicle, as well, the animal started to show signs of distress," said Van Eyk.
He said the dog had been in the vehicle for over an hour and the owner showed up as officers were rescuing the animal.
The 38-year-old was charged with leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle when the weather conditions were not suitable.
Animal Control Chatham-Kent is reminding animal owners and drivers that even if the ambient temperature outside is cooler, the inside of a vehicle will heat up very quickly.
"Within just 10 minutes in 24-degree weather, the inside of a car can reach 38C. Within half an hour it will be 50C," Van Eyk added.
Call animal control at 226-996-9969 or your local police service if you see an animal left in a hot vehicle in Chatham-Kent.
