Idling in parking lot with dog in car, no driver

[Grandan]

Today while I visited that great Canadian store that sells everything as well tires, I noticed a truck parked in the parking lot, dog in the passenger seat, engine at high idle and no driver present. I thought it was illegal to leave your vehicle running while unattended and also illegal to idle your vehicle for more than a few minutes? Is this buddy's answer to not leaving your dog in a hot car? Besides being incredibly stupid, any thief could smash a window and be gone in seconds or the dog could knock it into gear or something equally bizarre. Since hardly anyone ever sets a parking brake anymore it boggles the mind that anyone would consider this safe.
This not the first time I have seen this, is this a new trend? Is this an Alberta resident thing since I see it more often with Alberta plates? Too hot here to leave your car in the parking lot for 1/2 hour?

[Omnitheo]

Maybe the dog was waiting to pick someone up or something.

[GenesisGT]

I do agree it is stupid to leave a vehicle running, but don't worry about it being stolen or accidentally put into gear, security systems for vehicles will automatically turn off the vehicle if the brake is touched, it is put into gear, etc... when the remote key is not in the cab. Besides wasting gas at least the dog was cool and hopefully entertained with some hip music.

[LTD]

So let me get this straight you think this persons dog is gonna reach down step on the brake and put the truck in gear that sounds completely plausible to me, some folk have to much time on there hands. Had he left his dog in the truck with the windows down or in the back of his truck you will cry that someone might get bit so he should just leave his dog at home pretty much cant win with some people its his truck if he wants to leave it running that's up to him ....

[Captain Awesome]

People should start minding their own business.

[vinnied]

Jeezus. Just can't make no one happy. Damd if u do, damd if you dont.

[GrooveTunes]

Funny, I saw the same thing last weekend at a beach. Car running, windows open a crack and the ac on I would think. Owner came back and did a check then went back to the beach. Dog looked pretty happy though. Can't remember if it was alberta plates or not.

[Symbonite]

there is no "no idling" bylaw here in town...if there was...well the bylaw officer would have a field day at the tims drive through

[jimmy4321]

I went through a lot of fuel last week idling keeping my dog cool and entertained. This week seems things should cool off.If you have to leave it running unattended you could use a "Club" on the steering wheel.

Illegal? What about remote starters for winter?

[Anonymous123]

Today while I visited that great Canadian store that sells everything as well tires, I noticed a truck parked in the parking lot, dog in the passenger seat, engine at high idle and no driver present. I thought it was illegal to leave your vehicle running while unattended and also illegal to idle your vehicle for more than a few minutes? Is this buddy's answer to not leaving your dog in a hot car? Besides being incredibly stupid, any thief could smash a window and be gone in seconds or the dog could knock it into gear or something equally bizarre. Since hardly anyone ever sets a parking brake anymore it boggles the mind that anyone would consider this safe.
This not the first time I have seen this, is this a new trend? Is this an Alberta resident thing since I see it more often with Alberta plates? Too hot here to leave your car in the parking lot for 1/2 hour?

First off, the Alberta plates more than likely here on vacation and need to fix something that has worn out on the trip here. Can't leave the dog at your hosts place, can't leave the dog locked up in the trailer or camper etc., can't leave the dog tied to the trailer/camper or whatever 'cause someone will either steal it or complain about it so let's take it along and leave the A/C on for it. Kudos to this person for caring enough about their dog to waste gas and money to ensure the dog is not compromised.

[TreeGuy]

Most likely an Albertan I'd say, wasting fuel to keep the oil fields busy! LOL My dad was in the pulp and paper industry back in the day, he'd tell us to use lots of paper towels! LOL

Seriously tho' good on this guy for caring about his pooch! Now move along, nothing to see here .

[vegas1500]

Because of the cold, lots of us "Albertans" have what is called a REMOTE STARTER........ There is no way the car can be driven away at all. If i need to take my dog, i will leave her in the vehicle and start the car with the remote starter........when it times out, i can restart it. Isn't it amazing what modern technology can do...........OP, you should check them out.......

[dogspoiler]

Somebody is trying to do what's right for the dog.
The dog cannot drive the vehicle away.
If the dog is worth having no one will break into the car.
Life is so simple if you take time to figure it out.

[A_Britishcolumbian]

call a bylaw officer next time. albertans figure they aren't polluting enough with extraction, they have to burn fuels beyond reason too.

[Liquidnails]

Mind your own business.