The Windsor Essex County Humane Society is investigating several complaints of dogs being left in hot cars.

Executive director Melanie Coulter says the humane society is currently in the process of investigating 19 reported cases of animals being left in hot vehicles – that’s just in the month of July.

“It’s easy for pet owners to underestimate just how quickly a car can heat up, even when it’s ‘only for a minute’,” Coulter says. “That mistake could cost your pet his life.”

She says in 10 minutes a car’s temperature can rise to a level that can seriously injure or kill a pet.

Anyone who sees an animal left in a car should try to have the store page the owner. If that fails, citizens should contact the humane society.