In brief: Hearing planned on SARP zone

SPOKANE VALLEY – The community is invited to a meeting to discuss the Neighborhood Centers zone of the Sprague/Appleway Revitalization Plan, from 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave. It is one of a series of meetings to gather input on the different SARP zones to provide information to the City Council for the purpose of making changes to the plan. Information on SARP, including a zoning map, is available online at www.spokanevalley.org.

Leaving animal in hot car illegal

SPOKANE COUNTY – The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service has announced that they will issuecitations to people who leave animals locked in hot cars, not warnings. Two dogs were found near death in the Spokane Valley Costco parking lot on Wednesday. The weather was mild, but the temperature inside the car was 126 degrees even with the windows cracked, according to a SCRAPS press release. The dogs were rescued by an animal control officer and taken to a veterinarian. They are now recovering.

The agency is reminding people that it is unsafe to leave animals in vehicles whether the windows are slightly open or not as interior temperatures can rise rapidly. Drivers who do lock their pet in the car can be charged with confinement in an unsafe manner, a misdemeanor, or animal cruelty, which is a felony.

Anyone who sees an animal inside a car is asked to call SCRAPS at (509) 477-2533 or SpokAnimal at (509) 534-8133.