Calgary woman charged after dog dies in hot car

A Calgary woman is facing charges after police say a dog was left in a hot car for more than two hours on Canada Day.

Calgary police responded to a home on Mount Copper Green S.E., in the community of McKenzie Lake, at around 5 p.m. that Monday, after reports of a dog in distress.

"Upon arrival, an officer located the vehicle and observed a dog lying unresponsive on the floor," police said in a release Thursday.

• 56 dogs and 9 llamas among dozens of animals seized in investigation north of Calgary
• Emu named Keith finds forever home after southern Alberta highway stroll

"Witnesses informed the officer that they had observed the dog panting so heavily that the car was shaking, and the dog eventually stopped responding to knocks on the window.

"The windows of the vehicle were up and the doors were locked. The officer entered the vehicle by breaking a window in an attempt to rescue the dog, who was later identified as a female four-year-old Alaskan malamute, German shepherd crossbreed named Lucky. She was located deceased inside of the car."

Kaitlyn Rose Folkins, 30, is facing charges of injuring an animal and causing distress to an animal.

• Calgary father who killed 2 dogs in violent attacks gets 3 years in jail
• This cat's story illustrates why Calgary's humane society and police work closely together

"Lucky's death was an avoidable tragedy," acting Insp. Scott Neilson with Calgary Police Service said in the release.

"And I'm asking Calgarians to think of her the next time they consider leaving an animal inside of a car on a warm or hot day, even for a short period."

The Calgary Humane Society says just leave your dog at home.

"What are you willing to lose? A windshield? A pet? Money to pay a fine? Your freedom due to incarceration?" asked the society's Brad Nichols.

"It's all at risk if you decide to leave an animal in a car in the temperatures we are currently experiencing. We shouldn't be fielding hundreds of these types of calls every summer. For the animal's sake, if you see something, say something. You may be the only one advocating for that suffering animal."

Neighbourhood residents expressed sadness to CBC News about the dog's death.

"It's tragic no matter which way you look at it," Jeff Smith said.

Chris Smith — unrelated to Jeff — was baffled.

"A dog dying in the car is pretty out of the ordinary for this neighbourhood," he said.

Police say call 911 if you see an animal in distress.