'It's just too cold': Edmonton peace officer warns about leaving pets outside, in vehicles
The weather outside is frightful, and as such, most drivers are leaving their pets at home.
But Merlin and Louise Badry’s Goldendoodle Maggie is riding with her owners in style.
The couple has an electric vehicle with a “pet mode” that keeps the vehicle at an ideal temperature when Maggie is left in the car.
“Whether it’s hot or cold we can set the car on dog mode and it maintains a certain temperature, winter or summer,” Merlin told CTV News Edmonton.
The vehicle also has a screen that lets people passing by know the temperature in the car, and that the pet is safe.
But City of Edmonton peace officers don’t recommend relying on technology when temperatures dip as low as they have been over recent days.
“I just worry that things could fail,” said peace officer Brianne Grey.
Grey said peace officers have responded to a multitude of animal welfare calls on Thursday and Friday after animals were left outside in the freezing temperatures.
“We responded to numerous calls yesterday for different breeds, everything from shepherds to staffies to small breed dogs outside shivering, shaking, lifting their paws, and really feeling the effects of the extreme cold weather we’re having,” Grey said.
Grey says pet owners in Alberta have a duty to provide shelter to animals in their care.
"The Animal Protection Act of Alberta states that any person who’s in care and control of an animal has to provide adequate shelter and protection from injury as cold. With these temperatures, injuries as cold would for sure come into play.”
In these temperatures, Grey says an outdoor shelter would have to be heated, insulated, and have straw inside, instead of blankets.
“It is just too cold for them to be outside without any type of protection whatsoever.”
The city is also encouraging residents to learn the signs of an animal in distress, so they can call for help before it's too late.
“When they’re outside, the shivering, shaking, and then another big one is if you start to see the snow build up on their feet and they’re really chewing at their feet.”
“Anything where it looks like the animal is physically suffering, that’s when we want citizens to call us,” Grey said.
The advice for animals in vehicles is similar.
“If they’re seeing signs of distress, not just barking, things like the shivering and shaking, then it would be best to call into the City of Edmonton through 311 and report the concern.”
Grey says the number of animal welfare calls received in cold weather is similar to the number received in summer months.
“In +30 C it’s as important for us to be having those animals have access to a shelter or not being in a vehicle just as its as big of a concern for us when its -30 C.”
The city said peace officers responded to 40 calls last month for animals in distress in a yard, and six so far in December.
According to Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, there were 230 calls about pets in vehicles in 2021.
From January to November of 2022, there have been 176 calls.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson and Evan Kenney.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.