Just as pets shouldn't be left in hot vehicles in the summer, they shouldn't be ditched to wait inside of cold ones in the winter.
Ontario Provincial Police are urging pet owners to never leave any animal unattended in a vehicle.
"If it's too cold for you to sit inside the vehicle then it's too cold for your pet," read an OPP media release. "Cars hold in the cold, acting like refrigerators, which could cause your pet to freeze to death."
Police said those caring for animals should take extra precautions to protect them from the extreme cold.
"Even long-haired dogs that are accustomed to being outside need extra precautions when the temperature plummets," read the release.
Cold weather alerts for Sarnia-Lambton have been issued a few times over the past week as overnight temperatures dropped below -15 C, 5 F.
Anyone who sees an animal locked in a vehicle on a cold day is asked to gather information about the vehicle, such as make, model, and licence plate, and contact police.
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, people who mistreat animals could face jail time, depending on the offence.
