Ontario city proposes $300 fine for pets left in hot cars
London, Ont., is considering new bylaws to penalize owners who leave animals in vehicles during warm weather following a spring heat wave.
Following an early summer heat wave in southern Ontario, the City of London is considering a $300 fine for people who leave pets unattended in hot vehicles.
The proposal would amend existing bylaws to implement the penalty when an animal in a vehicle is determined to be in distress due to temperature. Staff recommended the fine amount because it aligns with other municipalities. Brampton and Chatham-Kent both use $300 fines, while Markham, Oshawa, and Vaughan range from $150 to $1,000. Orillia takes a harder line, with maximum penalties of $25,000 for a first offence and $50,000 for a second.
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals supports municipal bylaws as an additional compliance tool and deterrent, separate from Ontario's Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act, which carries fines up to $75,000 and potential jail time.
For Calgary pet owners, the proposal is worth noting. While Alberta doesn't yet have similar bylaws, the trend toward stricter animal-welfare enforcement is spreading. Spring and summer heat can be deadly for animals left in vehicles—signs of distress like heavy panting, lethargy, and loss of coordination can appear within minutes. Veterinary care must follow immediately if heat stroke is suspected.
The City of London's proposal will go before council later this month. If approved, it would give bylaw officers a faster, more straightforward enforcement mechanism than involving police or animal welfare inspectors.