Dog okay left in car, Humane Society says, despite outrage
Digital Reporter
Thursday, August 13, 2015, 9:27 AM - Temperatures are on the rise in Edmonton and a hot car is no place for an unaccompanied pet.
Edmonton resident Cam McDannold claims a Gold Retriever has been living in a van in downtown Edmonton and has been left unattended during periods of extreme heat. Photos posted on Facebook by McDannold have sparked a response from the city, police, fire department, humane society and even the mayor.
Recently, American actor Jennifer Beals was under fire for reportedly leaving her dog in a hot car in west Vancouver.
While a new law has made it possible for good Samaritans to save dogs trapped in hot cars in Tennessee, in Edmonton the same rules don't apply.
More than 5,000 signatures on a change.org petition urge police and the city to do more. However, Edmonton's Humane Society says they can do nothing as the animal appears to not be in distress, while the dog's owner denies the allegations.
"Pretty much any time of day in any weather I can look out a window and spot his van. He leaves a window cracked and apparently leaves a bowl of water in the van but that's pretty much it," McDannold posted on Facebook.
McDannold says he believes the building the dog owner is staying in does not allow dogs so this is the alternative.
"On hot days we worry for the dog's safety because we all know the effects of leaving an animal in a vehicle in extreme heat," explained McDannold. "Last week, the fire department and the peace officers animal control unit came on three different occasions because other people called. They cannot remove the dog and even though they confronted the man, he still keeps the dog in the van."
According to McDannold, the dog owner now parks elsewhere because he is tired of the public outcry.
Edmonton's Humane Society say they have gone to check on the dog multiple times.
"Every time the dog is okay, a little hot and not in any distress," Karen Muerer, a spokesperson for the society told CTV.
Mayor Don Iveson says he is monitoring the situation.
"In the event that the animal's welfare gets to the point where there is cause to intervene, I will be as happy as everyone else that the dog has been removed from this situation," Iveson told reporters.
Source: CTV | Facebook | change.org
Related video: Weather reporter left in 50oC hot car
