It’s common knowledge that pets shouldn’t be left alone in cars for long periods of time, especially during the hot summer months.

That may be why some people are still upset that an RCMP dog was left in a vehicle overnight.

After complaints from a Maritime woman, the force said Wednesday the officer did nothing wrong.

Some people; however, continue to disagree.

The issue of dogs left in hot vehicles prompted a “watch dog program” at a MicMac Mall in Dartmouth. For the past three years, Pet Patrol staff has been scouring the parking lots looking for dogs in distress.


“I think people are definitely more in tune with the sensitivities of leaving their pets in vehicles,” says resident Rebecca Logan.

That concern has the RCMP defending the canine handler who left a police dog in a vehicle overnight.

“It is absolutely acceptable for that dog to be left in the car overnight,” says the Corporal Jennifer Clarke of the Halifax district RCMP.

Jennifer Vaughan noticed the dog at her apartment complex on Saturday 7 a.m. It was 22 degrees by 9:00 a.m. She called Halifax Police and the SPCA. The police sent officers to check it out.

“I agree with the RCMP that they do take precautions,” says Vaughan. “However, I think it failed the dog in this case.”

“A dog is a dog, the heat will get ‘em,” says Veterinarian Paul Kendall.

Kendall says no matter how a dog is trained, they all react to heat.

“You really have to watch, because it gets pretty warm at 8:30, 9 o’clock with that sun beaming in on your vehicle,” says Kendall. “That animal could run into trouble pretty quickly.”

The RCMP explained the vehicles are a second home for the specially trained dogs. The vehicles are equipped with a kennel and climate controls that work when the engine is running. The dogs have water dishes and the barred windows are often left rolled down.

“If the handler feels the temperature is getting too warm, they can turn the vehicle with the secure idle so the vehicle does remain locked with the climate control running,” says Cpl. Clarke.

“The four hours I sat and watched it, the car was never on once,” says Vaughan. “I never saw the officer come out one time, because I was waiting for him to come out.”

The RCMP say the dog was never in distress, despite Vaughan’s concerns.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl