Reminder: Dog law sets rules for tethering in the cold (and heat)
HARRISBURG - While the recent extreme cold may be on the way out, Pennsylvanians still have months of winter yet to keep in mind the updated animal-cruelty protections put in place last year.
Gov. Tom Wolf reminded citizens of the law, Act 10, in November. It makes it illegal to tether a dog for longer than 30 minutes when temperatures are below 32 or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
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It also requires that animals have sanitary shelter that allows them to maintain normal body temperature and keeps the animal dry at all times of year.
The Humane Society of the United States sent out a memo this week, warning Pennsylvania shelters and advocates that calls from people concerned about outdoor dogs were coming in across the state. The memo said a number of the calls were for situations allowed by law, and that standards included in the law need to be considered in each situation.
"However, a dog can still be kept outside, untethered, if their shelter adequately maintains body temperature and keeps them dry. Citizens should check with their local municipality to find out if they have a code that has stricter restrictions that apply during extreme weather," the Humane Society release states.
So far, Franklin County police departments have reported minimal calls related to animals being tethered outside. Pennsylvania State Police and Waynesboro, Mercersburg and Washington Township police departments have each had one call or less in the last week since the extreme cold came to Franklin County.
Mercersburg Police Chief John Zechmann said his department typically gets tethering-related calls in the summer.
Chambersburg Police Departent has had nine calls about dogs outside since Christmas Day, but that is not unusual or out of the ordinary, said Chief Ron Camacho.
In the first week of the new year, no animal-cruelty charges have been filed by local police or animal cruelty officers.
The risks that come from leaving dogs outside include cracked and bloody paws, frostbite and hypothermia, Pennsylvania State Director of the HSUS Kristin Tullo said in the governor's release.
"We encourage the public to help to keep the dogs of Pennsylvania safe and warm this winter by reporting animal neglect to the local humane society police officer, local or state police," Tullo said in the release. "If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.”
Becky Metrick, 717-262-4762