Calgary police have charged a 30-year-old woman after leaving her dog unattended in a car, resulting in the dog’s death.
At around 5 p.m. on July 1, 2024, the Calgary Police were called to the southeast neighbourhood of McKenzie Lake in Calgary after reports of a dog left in a hot car and showing signs of distress.
According to witnesses on the scene, the dog was panting so hard the car was shaking and shortly after became unresponsive to knocks on the window. The doors to the vehicle were locked and the windows up, leaving no choice for the officer but to break the window in hopes of saving the dog’s life.
Unfortunately, the four-year-old Alaskan Malamute, German Shepard cross named Lucky died by the time officers broke in.
Kaitlyn Rose Folkins was charged with one count of causing damage or injury to an animal under section 446(1)(b) of the Criminal Code. Additionally, she has been charged with one count of causing an animal to be in distress under section 2(1) of the Alberta Animal Protection Act.
Folkins is set to appear in court on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
Lucky was believed to be left in the car for about two hours with temperatures outside of approximately 20 degrees Celsius, according to investigators.
“It should be common sense that leaving an animal in a hot vehicle is irresponsible and can have serious consequences, including death and charges,” said Acting Insp. Scott Neilson of the Calgary Police Service.
“Lucky’s death was an avoidable tragedy, and I’m asking Calgarians to think of her the next time they consider leaving an animal inside of a car on a warm or hot day, even for a short period.”
The Calgary Police and Calgary Humane Society remind Calgarians that the temperatures inside a vehicle can rise to dangerous levels in as little as a few minutes. Water and partially opened windows do not lower the temperatures to a safe enough degree for dogs, who cannot regulate their temperatures like humans can. They urged pet owners to leave their dogs at home, where they are safest.
“We shouldn’t be fielding hundreds of these types of calls every summer. For the animal’s sake, if you see something, say something. You may be the only one advocating for that suffering animal,” said Brad Nichol director of enforcement and vice executive director.
Calgary Police ask if you see an animal alone in a vehicle on a hot day to call 911 immediately with your location, the vehicle’s licence plate number, make and model and a brief description.
You can also report to the Calgary Humane Society at 403-205-4455.
