Drivers are once again being asked to not leave their pets alone in the vehicle for an extended period of time.

"With the weather and the sun," shared Sgt Tyler McMillan with the Estevan Police Service, "it doesn't take very long for vehicles to heat up with the windows up."

He added that he knows first hand with his experience as a K9 handler just how important it is to take care of your pet inside a vehicle.

"I've done tests. I had an in-car heat sensor and in a matter of minutes, it can heat up to where it could be fatal for a dog in a car."

"Even these days where it's 20oC-21oC, the vehicles are going to heat up very quickly with the windows closed. Use caution and make sure either the windows are open or you can leave them at home in their kennel."

Should you happen to pass by a car with a pet inside that is overheating, don't try and smash the car window yourself. Instead, McMillan has this easy piece of advice. 

"Call the police. Either the bylaw officer or police members will attend. We'll use as much urgency as we can to find the owner prior to doing that but then the members on duty and duty Sargent will make that call and smash a window. We don't encourage the public to do that, they should call the police and we will make every effort to quickly try and locate someone prior to any damage done to a vehicle."

He also added not to leave children unattended in vehicles as well.