With summer weather arriving early in Whistler this year, Sea to Sky RCMP are reminding pet owners to avoid leaving their animals in scorching cars.
According to a release from the Whistler RCMP, police were alerted to a dog that was left in a parked vehicle on Sunday, June 4. Though temperatures in the resort only reached a maximum of 20.6 C on Sunday, police determined the temperature inside the vehicle had spiked to approximately 38 C once they arrived at the scene.
The BC SPCA issued a release last month warning pet owners about the "harmful, and even life-threatening" dangers associated with leaving dogs in a warm or hot car, even if for only a few minutes. "Dogs can’t release heat by sweating, as humans do, so their internal body temperature rises more quickly," the society explained.
If you notice a parked vehicle containing an animal in distress, the BC SPCA recommends taking note of the vehicle's description and the license plate, and asking managers of nearby businesses to page the owner to return to their vehicle immediately. If the animal seems to be OK but you're still concerned, it's not a problem to stay by the vehicle and monitor the situation until the pet's owner returns.
While it might be tempting to smash a glass window to rescue the animal from a roasting vehicle, the BC SPCA strongly recommends against taking matters into your own hands. "Only RCMP, local police, and BC SPCA Special Constables have the authority to enter a vehicle lawfully to help a pet in distress," the organization explained. "Not only are you putting yourself at risk when you break a glass window, but you also risk harming the dog."
In Whistler, animals left in vehicles and displaying obvious signs of heat stroke or other symptoms of distress can be reported to the RCMP, as a complainant did Sunday.
In that case, the dog's owner returned to the vehicle shortly after officers arrived and was able to open the door to let the dog out.
As a result, "The hot dog’s owner was provided with both a bylaw ticket warning for insufficient ventilation and education," police stated.
The incident was detailed in a set of weekly media briefs Sea to Sky RCMP released Thursday morning, June 8.
It was among the 132 files opened by police in Whistler during the week spanning Monday, May 30 to Tuesday, June 5. Also included in that total was an alleged break-in at an Alta Lake Road residence that has since landed one man in custody, as Pique reported June 7, and the approximately four- to five-year-old female grizzly bear officials relocated after she was spotted "frolicking" on the Fairmont Chateau Whistler golf course on Saturday morning, June 3.
Multiple drivers pulled over without insurance
Hot tip for any uninsured drivers thinking about getting behind the wheel: perhaps consider staying within the speed limit, at least.
Members of the Sea to Sky RCMP's Whistler detachment were out on patrol this week when, on separate occasions, a few motorists drew officers' attention with risky behaviour like speeding and unsafe passing.
As a result, police reportedly encountered numerous drivers on the roads without valid insurance "and, in one case, without a driver’s license." The investigations yielded a series of written warnings and violation tickets issued to two locals and one visitor.
Partiers earn free accomodation after night out in Whistler Village
As per usual, police working the overnight shift in Whistler were called to put an end to some partiers' nights after the revelry got out of hand.
In a release, police said members of Whistler's RCMP detachment received reports about "grossly intoxicated individuals in Whistler Village" in the early-morning hours of both Wednesday, May 31 and Friday, June 2.
"In all cases, these individuals were arrested and provided with an accommodation, for the remainder of their evening, to prevent any further offences from being committed," police wrote, attaching two separate file numbers to the report. Both individuals were visiting the resort from elsewhere, police confirmed,
School bus stop signs are not suggestions, Whistler RCMP reminds drivers
With just a couple of weeks left of B.C.'s school year, Sea to Sky RCMP is reminding Whistler motorists that stopping for school buses is not an optional courtesy.
Police in Whistler reportedly heard about three separate vehicles on Wednesday, May 31 and Tuesday, June 5, that all failed to stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights and a stop sign. According to the release, a particularly attentive individual is to thank for those reports including all of the vehicles' license plate numbers. To that end, Whistler RCMP say violation tickets are pending for each vehicle's registered owner.
Stopping for a stationary school bus with its stop sign engaged and red lights flashing is a law under B.C.'s Motor Vehicle Act. The consequences for drivers who fail to comply can include a violation fine of $368 and three penalty points.
"Please respect the safety of the youth who are walking to and from the buses to ensure they arrive at their destination safely," Sea to Sky RCMP added.
