100 Mile House RCMP took three impaired drivers off the road last week.
The reports of the possible impaired drivers were part of 131 calls for service RCMP responded to last week, Sgt. Brian Lamb said. Each incident took place on different days but all resulted in 90-day prohibitions from driving and the impoundment of the drivers' vehicles for 30 days.
The first incident occurred on July 2 on Highway 97 near 103 Mile House. Lamb said the vehicle was observed not maintaining its lane and almost struck an oncoming vehicle.
"Police located the vehicle near Lac La Hache where it was observed driving on the shoulder of the highway,"Lamb said. "The vehicle was stopped where the driver displayed symptoms of alcohol consumption."
Lamb said the driver refused to provide a sample of his breath for testing, leading to his vehicle being impounded.
A few days later on July 6, RCMP received reports of another possible impaired driver near Canim Lake. After locating the vehicle, Lamb said the driver showed symptoms of alcohol consumption and a breath demand was issued. The test resulted in a fail.
Finally, on July 7, Lamb said another vehicle was observed "swerving all over the road" on Highway 97 near Lac La Hache. Once again officers located and stopped the vehicle and issued a breath demand after the driver showed symptoms of alcohol consumption. The test came back as a fail.
Theft and BnE
Lamb said that on July 3 RCMP responded to reports of a break and enter to a residence in the 6000 block of Horse Lake Road. On arrival, officers determined the residence had been entered by force. At this time the RCMP does not believe anything was taken and the timeline on when the break-in occurred is unknown.
The next day RCMP received a report of a theft that occurred on June 28. Lamb said a Leupold infrared optic monocular was taken from a backpack in a vehicle. The incident is believed to have occurred in either the Bridge Lake area or in 100 Mile House.
Hot Dogs
The RCMP would like to remind pet owners and the motoring public to avoid leaving their dogs and other pets in locked vehicles this summer. Lamb said this presents a potential hazard to the dog's health, especially during the recent hot weather and extreme heat warnings the region had been experiencing.
"In the last week, RCMP have already received several reports of dogs that have been left unattended in parked vehicles with windows closed or only being left partially open," Lamb said. "This is a severe health risk to the dog and it is recommended for pet owners to leave your dog at home."
Lamb pointed to the BC SPCA's website, which notes that dogs are at particularly high risk because their body temperatures rise faster than humans and they are unable to cool themselves down with sweat. Dogs with shorter snouts can also suffer from breathing problems when the air gets hot.
The BC SPCA also note that leaving the air conditioning on is not a suitable solution, and the best option is to leave your pets at home with easy access to shade and water.
Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to call 100 Mile House RCMP at 250-395-2456 or anonymously 24 hours a day at Crimestoppers at 1-800-222- TIPS (8477).
