This past weekend saw our first real experience with high heat this year. because of that, the RCMP remind pet owners not to leave their animals in a vehicle with the windows closed for an extended period of time.

Constable Sean O'Keefe explains the danger.

"Pets don't sweat like us," he says, "They're more subject to the extreme conditions of the heat. Obviously, that's a concern for anyone, especially pet owners. So, doing what they can to limit that risk to the pets is very important."

O'Keefe stresses if you see an animal in distress, you don't have the authority to break the window yourself.

"We like to refer to those as situational factors, that would go into whether or not the window should be broken. But that decision should be left up to a police officer, not a member of the public. We don't want people being held responsible for the damages, when a police officer would make that choice."

O'Keefe says if you see an animal in distress, call the RCMP.

"I would say it might be worth a 911 call," he says, "If there are those high mitigating factors -- the vehicle is exposed directly to the sun, all the windows are up, the animal might not be responding to any banging on the window -- a quick call to 911 is warranted there. But otherwise, a call through our administrative line will put you in contact with one of our local clerks, and will have us respond just as quickly, in most circumstances."