Fines issued after dog left tied to car in 'direct sunlight' at Burnaby Costco parking lot
The owners of a dog were handed hefty fines after leaving their pet tied to the back of their vehicle in “direct sunlight” at a Costco parking lot in Burnaby.
Videos of the incident were posted on TikTok, showing the dog sitting under the car, with the leash shut inside the trunk.
The person filming, who wished to remain anonymous, told Daily Hive that when they saw the dog, they immediately contacted the City and SPCA.
The TikTok they posted shows an officer talking to two people identified in the video as the dog’s guardians, who appear to have returned from their shopping trip.
The officer asks the owners why this “situation looks the way it does.”
@vancityevents2025 #costco #burnaby #animalcrulityawareness #bcspca ♬ original sound – vancityevents2025
One of them says it was “too hot inside the car” and that they could “not bring [the dog] in Costco.”
They then assured the officer that “it will not happen next time.”
The officer then asks why the dog wasn’t dropped off at home instead of being left tied up to the car while its owners shopped.
“…If left for a longer period of time, the reason we take it so seriously is ’cause we see animals die from this often. Far too often,” said the officer.
@vancityevents2025 #costco #burnaby #animalcrulityawareness#bcspca ♬ original sound – vancityevents2025
The dog’s guardians noted that they weren’t happy that they were being filmed, but the officer noted that they were in a public place and people could film the incident if they wanted to.
City of Burnaby confirmed with Daily Hive that its animal control department received a report of a dog tethered to the rear of a vehicle in the Costco parking lot at 4500 Still Creek Dr. at approximately 4:15 p.m on Monday, May 5.
When the officer arrived on the scene just after 4:35 p.m., a Costco employee and the complainant directed them to the dog’s location.
“The dog was tethered in direct sunlight and unable to access shade due to the short length of the tether. The complainant had provided water to the dog,” stated City of Burnaby public affairs and media relations manager Chris Bryan.
“The dog, which lacked visible identification, was panting heavily but not in immediate distress.”
About 10 minutes later, the dog’s guardians arrived back at their vehicle. The officer spoke to them about the dangers of heat exposure and safe tethering practices and reviewed bylaw requirements.
The incident resulted in three bylaw violation notices, and the dog’s guardians were issued $300 in fines.
“The public is reminded that even brief heat exposure can be harmful to pets,” stated Bryan.
“On warm days, it is safest to leave dogs at home with access to shade and cool water.”
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