Latest news with #petSafety
CTV News
8 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Tips for keeping your pets safe in the heat
The Ottawa Humane Society tells us how you can keep your friends cool. With summer approaching and high temperatures in the forecast, the Ottawa Humane Society is reminding pet owners about the importance of keeping pets safe from the heat. Sunny weather and highs approaching 30 degrees are in the forecast for Ottawa this week and that can lead to the possibility of heat-related illness and danger for our furry friends. 'Dogs die in hot cars,' said Ottawa Humane Society President & CEO Sharon Miko in a news release. 'Temperatures in vehicles rise extremely quickly — even with windows open. Pets can overheat, leading to brain damage and even death.' Ottawa Humane Society spokesperson Stephen Smith tells CTV Morning Live keeping pets out of cars is the most important thing to remember this time of year. 'When that temperature rises, one of the things we say, of course, is never leave your pet unattended in a hot car. That's just rule number one,' he said. 'Don't just leave the window open a crack. It's never just a couple of minutes. It only takes a very short time for your pet to be in serious danger in a hot car.' Smith says if you're going to be out and about, make sure you can bring your pet in the store with you. If you're going somewhere that doesn't allow pets, then the best place to leave them is safely at home. 'It doesn't even take that 30-plus degree weather. It can be even a mild day, and a car can still get too hot sitting in the sun,' he said. Walks Dogs still need regular exercise and outdoors time, even in the summer, but there are ways to keep them safe when it's hot, says Smith. 'The pavement might be a little bit hot for their paws, so what you can do is walk on the cooler grass to help keep them safe, or else take shorter walks in the morning and in the evening when the temperature cools down a bit,' he said. It's important to have water on hand to make sure pets can cool off. Tips for cats Cats can also suffer in the heat. The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats indoors. 'Number one for the Humane Society, we always say, keep your cats indoors, it's one of the safest places for them,' said Smith. 'If you do let your cat outside or if you like to walk them on a leash, you can apply some of the tips for the dogs. Make sure fresh water is available, make sure you can bring them in out of the heat, and if you're taking them for a walk, stick to the cool grass stick to the cooler temperatures of day.' Signs of heat exhaustion in pets Smith says to watch for signs your pet isn't feeling well. 'It's really about knowing your particular pets. Some will react great to the heat, they'll love a summer day, others will say I've had too much of this outdoors, please bring me inside,' he said. Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke can include: Rapid heartbeat Heavy panting Lethargy Lack of coordination Weakness or muscle tremors Glazed eyes Convulsions Unconsciousness 'Of course, you want to make sure you have lots of fresh water on hand to help cool them down. Make sure you can bring them in out of the heat and, if they continue to show those signs, be ready to contact your veterinarian for help,' said Smith. Pets in trouble If you see a loose pet that appears to be in trouble, Smith says there are ways to help. 'Any dog who's on the loose needs help right away. If you're able to secure the dog, you can bring them safely to the Humane Society where we'll help reunite them with their owner,' he said. 'If you're not able to secure the dog, you can call 3-1-1 for some assistance.' The Ottawa Humane Society says if you see an animal alone in a vehicle with the owner nowhere in sight, dial 911.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Dog dies of injuries after deer attack in Victoria
Jasper's family says they had to put him down after he was attacked by a deer in Victoria on Tuesday. (Source: Brenda Neveu) A Victoria woman is sharing a warning about aggressive deer in the capital region after her dog was attacked and later died of his injuries. Brenda Neveu said she was sitting on her front steps on Tuesday when her dog Jasper's ribs were broken. 'He wandered a few steps away from me and just as he did that, there was a flash. And it was a deer that just attacked him immediately,' she said. 'It just mowed him right over – trampled him.' Neveu said she scared the female deer away, but it came back while she was tending to Jasper. A young man heard her screaming and came to help, chasing the deer away for a second time, she said. 'He chased it all the way down … to the end of the street,' she said. 'When he came back, the deer followed him back.' B.C.'s Environment Ministry said deer can become aggressive during fawning season, which begins in May and lasts a few weeks. Neveu said she didn't see any babies in her yard, which is in the Rockland neighbourhood. 'I had to take my pup to the hospital,' she said. 'He didn't chase deer, he didn't bark at deer. Never had. And we had to make the choice to put him down.' She worries about what could happen if the deer population in the region isn't reduced. 'Am I not safe to sit here on my step with my grandson and have him toddle out there?' she said, pointing to her front lawn. 'A pet, yes, it's a family member, but a child? That will be devastating if we lose a child.' Deer contraception trials wrapping up For the past several years, the municipalities of Oak Bay and Esquimalt have been studying the effects of contraception on the deer population. Deer are tranquilized, inoculated and tagged. After that, their fawning rates are monitored. 'The early indications from the report that we've got are that it has been successful,' Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch said. Reports of aggressive deer are rare, but the population still needs to be controlled, he said. They can be spotted regularly around the capital region, munching on gardens and walking into traffic. Oak Bay has submitted the results of its five-year pilot project for review by the province, which approved the study. 'We're not allowed to touch deer unless the province gives us an OK,' he said. 'Our hope is that the province will look at the data that we're able to provide and agree to allow an immuno-contraceptive program going forward.' Esquimalt's trial will wrap by the end of the year. Between 2021 and 2023, the township vaccinated 60 deer, Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins said. Like Oak Bay, preliminary results indicate contraception reduces the fawning rate. 'Contraception lasts 22 months, so if you stop the contraception, it is likely that the population will gradually return again,' Desjardins said. Esquimalt's trial did not include giving the deer booster shots, she said. 'It's going to be very important to be able to convey the findings and what the community requires to the province in order to get buy-in for future, hopefully, funding of contraception, but also just allowing it to occur in communities that are like ours,' she said.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Coyote altercation reported in City of Waterloo
A coyote is seen in this file image. (Pexels) The City of Waterloo is warning residents to be careful after an interaction was reported involving a coyote. In a social media post on Tuesday, the city said the altercation was between a coyote and her pups and a resident with a dog. The city did not say when the incident happened or if the resident or their dog were injured. The incident happened on the GeoTime Trail in Vista Hills. Residents were asked to exercise extra caution and keep their dogs on a leash. According to the provincial government's website, coyotes are typically wary of humans but they have been known to kill small, unattended dogs. Diseases and parasites carried by coyotes can also pose a risk to pets. The website recommends keeping dogs on a leash, carrying a flashlight to scare off coyotes at night and never letting dogs chase after a coyote. If anyone encounters the animals, they are encouraged to keep their distance. If the coyote appears to be aggressive, residents should never turn their back to it, try to appear as tall as possible and make lots of noise while backing away.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Public warned 'don't leave dogs in hot cars' following two incidents this weekend
POLICE have warned dog owners that a car is not a safe place to lead a dog on a warm day- following two separate incidents in the area. Allerdale officers have today, May 18 been called to two separate incidents of dogs in hot cars. In a statement on social media, Allerdale police said: "Leaving a dog in a car on a warm day is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. The temperature inside a car can rise rapidly, even with windows cracked open, creating an oven-like environment that can cause heatstroke and death within minutes. "Dogs struggle to cool down in hot conditions because they primarily rely on panting, which isn't effective in a car." Why Leaving a Dog in a Car is Dangerous: Heatstroke: Dogs can develop heatstroke quickly in a hot car, leading to organ damage, seizures, and even death. Dehydration: Dogs cannot sweat like humans, so panting is their primary method of cooling. In a car, panting is ineffective, leading to rapid dehydration. Temperature Increase: A car's temperature can soar to dangerously high levels even when it doesn't feel that warm outside. Allerdale police added: "A parked car is not a safe place for a dog on a warm day, if you can not take your dog with you, LEAVE IT AT HOME."
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Our family members': 3 French bulldogs stolen from Fayetteville home
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — They're small and full of energy, but for KT Fields, her French bulldogs mean the world. 'They're literally our family members … These are our dogs,' said Fields. The mother of two said she has six of them; however, earlier this week she said three of the dogs were stolen. Fields said she first noticed an open gate and their front door open after she returned home from an appointment shortly after 10:30 a.m. Monday 'They had to have just straight busted through this door,' said Fields who also pointed at the side of the family's home off Old Field Road in Fayetteville. She said the door was locked and had been broken in. When Fields ran in, she realized three of her Frenchies were gone — Lilo, Caine, and Princess, who is weeks away from having puppies and will also need a C-section. 'They were in the house no more than 20 minutes. I got home 8 minutes after they had left my house,' Fields said. The family said their home security system captured the moment three people in hoods and masks — one seen in video carrying a gun — rummaged through the house. The video shows the three searching through rooms, drawers, closets, and personal items. Fields said the unknown intruders not only took jewelry, but they were also spotted taking the dogs. The family believes they left in a white BMW. 'You're not thinking, 'Oh, somebody's going to come and bust in your house in broad daylight,'' said Fields. 'I have never, ever stolen from someone or thought to break into someone's house. I have never. So, I just can't fathom, why?' Fields thinks the thieves may have taken the dogs because French bulldogs are known to be valuable. She's checked with local vets, shelters, printed posters, and called for help across social media. 'We love them, we adore them … I really just want my dogs back,' said Fields. The family said the break-in has left them shaken and unable to return back to the home. Fields said they continue to work with Fayetteville police and hope to offer a reward to whoever can bring them back safely. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
