On Friday, Woodstock Police Service responded to the Zehrs parking lot at 969 Dundas st., After receiving a report of an animal in distress that was locked inside of a vehicle.

Investigation revealed that a small mixed bred dog had been left inside a grey van for almost one hour in Temperatures outside were reported to have reached highs of 34 degrees.

The windows on the van were closed tight and there was no water left inside for the dog.

Concerned citizens alerted the Zehrs staff at 12:40 pm, reporting that they observed the dog inside the van for at least 10 min. Attempts were made to page the owner in the store with negative results. At 1:10 pm, staff contacted the Woodstock police service to attend.

At 1:25 pm, during police presence, the owner attended at her vehicle after hearing a further page over the store intercom.

The investigation is still ongoing and charges of cruelty to animals are pending against a 42 year old female. The dog did not require medical attention.

Pet owners are reminded once again of the dangers of leaving a pet in a vehicle during these extreme temperatures.