Doris, I wasn’t going to dignify your letter with an answer but after thinking about how you completely missed the point I was trying to make, I couldn’t resist. I am going to now give you information that is readily available to the public on the City of St. Albert website, to show you there are bylaws in place regarding leaving your dog unattended in a hot vehicle.

As stated on the city’s website (http://www.stalbert.ca/dog-information): During hot weather the temperature inside a vehicle can be high enough to cause brain damage, suffocation and even death. Every year municipal enforcement officers respond to complaints of pets left in vehicles. Many animals die annually in Alberta from this careless act. When the weather is warm, leave your dog at home as even 10 minutes in the car is too long.

The municipal enforcement service investigates and enforces violations of animal bylaws and fees as outlined in animal bylaw 38/78, as well as the Animal Protection Act and Dangerous Dogs Act. (The latter two acts are available on the Alberta government website.)

Common sense 101 tip: leave them at home. If you can afford to have a car, shop for hours, go out to eat, perhaps you can afford some kind of in-home comfort to keep these pets cool and safe in their home.

Or, the next time you go out, why don’t you accommodate your dog by going to animal-friendly restaurants or coffee shops?

Even while on vacation, you can certainly find hotels that let you have your pets with you. I am perplexed as to why you see your dog as your jailer; it seems you have never looked for an alternative.

So Doris I am going to leave you with this information, and I hope that you use it to benefit you and your dog.

Lisa Ryan, St. Albert

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