Dogs must be kept in Kennels
They say dogs are man's best friends. But in the current severe cold weather, it is the dog who needs the friendship.
"Dogs must be provided the appropriate shelter if they are left outside, but they shouldn't be left out in this cold weather for any reason" says Shelly English, executive director of Wanderers' Rest animal shelter in Canastota.
A dog's friend of last resort is the State of New York. If owners don't give their pets proper housing, the state can fine them $50 to $100 for a first violation of New York State's Shelter Law, which went into effect in 2003. If this law is violated a second time than the dog's owner is charged $250.
Exposure to severe cold, especially with severe wind chill, English warns, could cause permanent injury.
"If a house dog is left outside for a long period of time, they can get hypothermia or frostbite"
Canastota veterinarian Barbara Johnson says, "Dogs can get frostbite if they are left out in the cold for a long period of time and can lose circulation in their ears and toes."
Dogs can get hypothermia when their body temperature falls, and this can ultimately result in death.
"If a dog gets hypothermia their heartbeat slows and they can die..I have seen a case where a dog was left out in the cold once and they had lesions on their feet as well as their ear tips" Johnson says.
If there is rain and high winds then hypothermia will set in faster. Younger dogs, and those that have smooth coats, such as Dalmatians, are more susceptible to the cold weather than stronger dogs that have thicker coats, such as a Husky.
"A dog can get frostbite when their extremities are exposed to the cold," English says "This can result in their ears or paws falling off, and they can freeze to death in some cases, depending on how cold it is outside."
Some examples of an appropriate shelter would be a doghouse or barn. It must be supplied with a roof and hay for bedding. Also the house must be big enough for the dog to be able to lay down comfortably.
English recommends avoiding leaving your dogs outside at all costs, adding that just because they have fur coats doesn't mean they can endure cold temperatures.