June 11, 2012 - 4:37 PM
TORONTO - Animal safety experts say the death of a dog in a Toronto parking lot is a tragic reminder of the need to keep pets out of the summer heat.
They say rising temperatures pose plenty of dangers for the country's dogs and cats.
They are unable to sweat as humans do, and therefore can't regulate their body temperature when the mercury climbs.
Experts say pet owners should leave their animals at home during the summer months and make sure to limit their exercise levels while giving them plenty of cool, fresh water.
A couple from northern Ontario is facing animal cruelty charges after allegedly leaving their one-year-old chocolate lab in their car while they went shopping on Sunday.
A passerby sounded the alarm after seeing the dog in distress, but the animal died of heat exposure.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012