The B.C. SPCA is recommending animal cruelty charges against a Lower Mainland dog walker after six dogs died in her care on May 13.
The dogs' bodies were found in a rural Abbotsford ditch on Sumas Prairie, near the corner of Dixon Road and Campbell Road.
The animals were initially reported stolen by the dog walker, but on May 18, she admitted that they had died after being left in her vehicle on a hot day, according to a B.C. SPCA press release.
Lorie Chortyk, spokesperson for the BC SPCA, said after that information was shared with police and the animals were confirmed dead, the file was handed over to the BC SPCA, as they are the lead investigation and enforcement agency for animal cruelty cases.
The bodies were taken last Tuesday to a medical lab to undergo necropsies.
She said people must be aware of the dangers of leaving animals in vehicles. Chortyk said many people don’t realize that as little as 10 minutes in a warm vehicle, even with windows open, can be fatal to animals.
“We really hope that from this tragedy, there comes an awareness.”