Chatham-Kent police have charged a dog owner after finding a dog unattended in a vehicle during the hot and humid weekend.

The dog was found in a car in a parking lot on Keil Drive in Chatham as humidex values reached the mid-40s.

"Luckly the dog was ok but that's because a concerned citizen called it in so quickly," Const. Renee Cowan tells AM800's Teresinha Medeiros.

The owner, a 58-year-old Chatham man was charged with leaving an animal unattended in a motor vehicle when weather conditions are not suitable, which is contrary to the Responsible Animal Ownership by-law.

"We have issued numerous warnings reminding people not to leave their pets or small children in hot cars," said Cowan. "Unfortunately yesterday a 58-year-old Chatham man failed to heed our warnings and left his dog in his car."

The Chatham-Kent Police Service is using this opportunity to remind residents to report any incident where an animal is left in a hot car to PAWR, OSPCA at 519-310-7722 or call local police.

Owners found in contravention of the bylaw may be charged and issued a $365 fine.