The Regina Police Service would like to remind the public that the temperatures are rising, which means vehicles heat up quickly. If you must make stops in your daily travels, please, take your small children indoors with you; don’t leave them in the car.  If you have pets, it’s best to leave them at home.  Your small children may not be able to open windows/doors to cool themselves, and pets are always wearing fur coats, so don’t take chances with their safety.

As a bystander:  if you see a child in a car who appears to be in distress (limp/listless, sweating profusely) then please call 9-1-1. Keep calm and do not break the window (unless you are specifically instructed by the operator or an officer).  If you see a pet in a hot vehicle that appears to be in distress (limp/listless, foaming at the mouth) then please call the Animal Protection line (in Regina) at 306-777-7700. (If the vehicle is on/running, there may be air conditioning going for the pup and it is likely not in distress.)

Breaking someone’s vehicle window could result in a charge of Mischief, which is a Criminal Code charge.  It may also result in having to attend small claims court and being ordered to pay for the damages.

In both scenarios, please follow the operator’s instructions and wait for emergency services to get there. If you are with someone, have them run into the nearest establishment and give the manager or staff the vehicle make, colour, and plate number and ask them to make an announcement on the business’ public address system.

The Regina Police Service would like to thank the public’s cooperation with these calls. Help us make this summer a less stressful one for all.