The Hamilton Police Service, in conjunction with the Hamilton and Burlington SPCA, have launched a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot vehicles.

The initiative, dubbed “Hot Cars Kill”, comes as Hamilton police say they have responded to nine calls of dogs in parked cars since January 2023. In four of those cases, charges were laid.

“Even on a relatively mild day, temperatures in parked cars during summer months can become life-threatening to your pets in a matter of minutes,” officials said in a statement.

Mandates and procedures for what to do when you see a dog in a hot car have changed in the last few years, which is why police and the HBSPCA are spreading the word about how to take action in Hamilton or Burlington.

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Officials recommend if you see a dog in a hot car, observe their physical state and call 911 if they show signs of distress or overheating.

They also say if the vehicle is in the parking lot of a shopping mall or business, to request an announcement within the storefront of the license plate, make and model of the vehicle.

The HBSPCA says to make note of the time you first see an unattended pet, and to provide that information to officials.

“On hot days this summer, keep your pets at home,” the HBSPCA said in a statement.

“Don’t leave them in a vehicle. Even with the windows cracked, it can be a matter of life and death in mere minutes. Hot Cars Kill.”

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