The car of a BMW was smashed on Saturday in Grand Bend, after people spotted a dog inside the hot vehicle
Lambton OPP officials say on June 11, 2016 at approximately 6:50 p.m. members of the Lambton Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received information that a dog had been left in a car and appeared to be experiencing distress due to the heat.
The OPP were contacted and advised that an unknown person had parked their 2014 BMW within the public access parking lot of the Grand Bend Beach and had allegedly left a dog within the locked vehicle.
Pedestrians frequenting the parking lot noticed the dog and determined that it was distressed due to heat exhaustion. An unknown pedestrian, concerned for the dog’s safety, smashed the rear passenger window, removed the dog and commenced a successful hydration process.
The OPP identified and contacted the owner of the BMW. In light of the circumstances, the owner of the BMW decided that he had no concerns as to his damaged vehicle. The dog was returned to the owner pending an investigation by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)- London Humane Society. The OPP will consult and continue to investigate this incident with the assistance of the SPCA. The pedestrian that smashed the window of the BMW has yet to be identified.
The OPP are reminding all pet owners that an animal left in a closed motor vehicle, in direct sunlight and with no water can quickly become distressed. Section 445 of the Criminal Code of Canada provides that anyone who wilfully and unlawfully causes pain or suffering to an animal can be brought before a Court with a maximum penalty of $10,000 or imprisonment from 18 months to five years.
In addition, the OPP are encouraging our community partners to exercise discretion in such cases. The OPP would prefer that if circumstances permit, that they be called for assistance prior to anyone causing damage to real property.
If anyone has knowledge of this incident they are asked to call the OPP at 519-882-1011 or Crime Stoppers.
Here is a link to a video of the alleged incident.
– Photo credit: Screen shot from a video created by Will Costa
