Every summer officials issue warnings about leaving pets in hot vehicles, but now bylaw officers in B.C. could be given more power to set those animals free.
The BC New Democrats have tabled a bill that would give municipal bylaw officers the authority to rescue distressed animals from overheated vehicles.
Currently only RCMP officers and 26 SPCA constables throughout the province are permitted to rescue pets, while others still face possible penalties for doing so.
That includes bylaw officers, who can only issue tickets for the offence.
“Right now people can call the police, but rescuing animals is not always their priority,” said Victoria SPCA spokeswoman Donna Piasetzki. “They have other things to deal with, so this is a much better use of resources.”
It’s the second time NDP MLA Selina Robinson has attempted to introduce a “Distressed Animal Act.”
She said she hopes to see the government move faster on the issue this time around.
“They haven’t done anything with it,” Robinson said. “It moved from the Minister of Agriculture to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. I asked that minister specifically in estimates what was happening with this bill and he basically said nothing.”
The risk of that, she said, is clear.
“We’re going to have another summer with dogs in overheated vehicles and that breaks my heart."
Last year the SPCA rescued a total of 302 animals from vehicles on Vancouver Island and a staggering 1,620 in B.C.
So far this year there have been 26 rescues on Vancouver Island and 318 throughout the province.
The SPCA says a dog can overheat in a vehicle, even in the shade with windows partially open, in as little as 10 minutes.
Robinson said she hopes British Columbians concerned about the issue will put pressure on their local Liberal MLAs.
