By Tanya M. Ursual

From The Lanark Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) L.A.W.S., P.O. Box 156, Smiths Falls, ON, K7A 4T1:

A note from our Animal Cruelty Inspector Regarding the safe Transport of Animals in Vehicles:

There are significant dangers to leaving an animal in a hot vehicle for any period of time. Temperatures inside a parked car can rapidly reach dangerous levels even on mild days, and even if the car is in the shade with the windows slightly open. A dog's normal body temperature is about 39 degrees celcius and a temperature of 41 degrees can be withstood only for a very short time before irreparable brain damage or even death can occur.

Transporting animals in an open vehicle (ie, the back of a pick up truck) significantly increases the risk of injury from flying debris that may cause injury to animals eyes, nose or other body parts. In addition leaving animals in open vehicles creates the potential for ejection from the vehicle which may lead to injury or death to the animal and/or risk to other vehicles or people.

Under the Health of Animals Act, 1990, c. 21 Subsection 143 (1) of the Regulations:
No person shall transport or cause to be transported any animal in a railway car, motor vehicle, aircraft, vessel, crate or container if injury or undue suffering is likely to be caused to the animal .....