BC civic leaders pass motion to permit bylaw officers to break into hot cars to save animals

Mayors and councillors from British Columbia’s municipal governments attending the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention have voted to support a motion that allows bylaw officers to break into hot cars and save animals in critical distress.

Currently, only RCMP officers and SPCA constables are able to break into vehicles to save dogs.

The unanimously passed motion was submitted by the City of Kamloops, citing this year’s case of six dogs died from overheating in the back of a truck parked in Langley.

It proposes to amend the text of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Community Charter to provide local government officials with the authority to access vehicles, aircraft or vessels to retrieve animals in need of urgent care.

Feature Image: dog in car via Shutterstock