Mic Mac Mall pet patrol pounces on dogs in parked cars
Dog watch program is one of two in Canada
Pet police at a Dartmouth mall say customers have learned to leave their pooches at home thanks to their innovative program.
This is the second summer that members of Mic Mac Mall's pet patrol have walked around the large parking lot, keeping an eye out for pets in hot vehicles.
There were 425 recorded incidents of dogs in cars last year, including vehicles with windows rolled down. So far this summer, there have only been 50.
The program started last July after a window had to be broken to rescue a dog, Mic Mac Mall marketing manager Rebecca Logan said.
"We really wanted to take a proactive approach," she said. "We thought it was a great customer service gesture on our part, and we thought this kind of program would really educate our customers to not take their pets to the mall."
According to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) website, animals can get brain damage or die from heat stroke in 15 minutes.
Students paid to patrol lots
A team of five "ambassadors" - paid students - roams the parking lot from Thursday to Sunday looking for dogs left behind while their owners shop. If they find a dog in a car, they radio security guards who take appropriate action, said Logan.
That can mean calling the Halifax Regional Police and measuring the temperature inside the car, she said.
The program at the Mic Mac Mall is just one of two in Canada, she said. The pet patrol runs through Labour Day weekend.
Refrain from smashing windows
While an animal in a hot vehicle can be serious, Halifax Regional Police are warning people not to take matters in their own hands.
Cst. Stacey Opalka, spokeswoman for Halifax Regional Police, says smashing a car window could make you liable for damages.
She advised callers to note the license plate, type of car and location, and then stay on scene until police arrive.
Last weekend, Halifax police received 14 calls about dogs left in cars, she said.
Owners who leave a dog in a car could be fined just over $400 under the Animal Protection Act.
Signs of heat stroke in dogs
The Nova Scotia SPCA says pets need access to shade and ample fresh water during hot summer days.
Humidity can be hard on dogs, especially ones with short noses, like pugs, said animal cruelty investigator Joanne Landsburg.
"They need to pant to cool themselves. When they can't pant because of the humidity, they're not able to get rid of all that extra heat," said Landsburg. Keeping animals indoors is best during extreme temperatures.
Landsburg says signs of heat stroke in dogs include extreme panting, lethargy and the dog's gums may even start to turn a little bit purple if he can't cool himself properly.