A concerned viewer sent CTV News video of dogs being left unattended in a car for an extended period of time, with temperatures hovering in the -20s on Saturday, which prompted concern.
Corrine Coutts says she was on her way into Polo Park when she first noticed the two dogs barking in the car.
More than an hour later when Coutts left the mall, she said she noticed one of the dogs had become lethargic.
"So, I was more concerned. I went up to the vehicle and looked inside, and the dog kind of popped its head up,” said Coutts. “It looked pretty sad to me. I do have a dog. I kind of know when something's not normal."
According to the Winnipeg Humane Society, dogs left in cold cars risk frostbite, hypothermia and even death.
"With the dog in there, you create a refrigerator effect because the humidity is going to increase, while the temperature decreases,” said animal protection officer Naomi Corder.
Manitoba’s Animal Care Act states that an animal can be in distress ‘if it is unduly exposed to cold or heat.’
Just like in summer, when rescuing dogs from hot vehicles, Animal Protection Officers will break in to assist a freezing dog.
"If the animal is deemed to be in distress by an animal protection officer, we do have the authority to access at the animal by whatever means necessary,” said Corder. “We are also not financially responsible if your vehicle is damaged in the process."
Corder said different breeds and sizes of dogs can have different reactions to the cold, and can handle it for different lengths of time.
As a general rule, the Winnipeg Humane Society said people should leave their dogs at home while running errands in the winter.
WHS says people who see animals in distress should call them and an animal protection officer will investigate.
