How To Protect Your Pet This Winter: Elgin Police

ELGIN, IL — Elgin police are warning citizens that neglecting to take good care of pets isn't only wrong; it's illegal. They provide tips for keeping pets safe from the elements in the summer and winter, during times of extreme heat and cold.

"Per Elgin's city ordinance number 7.04.020(2) it is unlawful to 'fail, refuse or neglect to provide any animal in his or her charge or custody as owner or otherwise with proper food, drink, shade, care, or shelter,'" they said on the Elgin Police Department website.

A part of the caring for and properly sheltering animals not leaving them in extreme heat or cold, which is also illegal in Elgin. "So often, our animal control officers encounter situations that could have been prevented," police say.

Winter pet safety tips from the Elgin Police Department:

• Keep pets inside when the temperatures are below freezing; don’t keep them in a car.
• Ensure outdoor pets have the proper shelter; make sure their water is not frozen.
• After walks or anywhere that rock salt or other chemicals are in use, be sure to wipe off your dog’s paws, legs and belly to prevent them from licking and ingesting those potentially dangerous substances.
• Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Clean up any spills and consider using products containing propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.
• If your pet gets stuck outside for a long time, it can catch hypothermia. The following symptoms may noticeable: slow pulse; shallow breath; disorientation, collapse; and, unconsciousness. If wet, dry your pet thoroughly and them place warm water bottles, wrapped in towels, around your pet. The ears, paws and other poorly insulated parts of the body may have frostbite, do not rub or apply snow or water to these parts. Thaw the area slowly and get your pet to the vet.

Elgin police also reminded residents of summer pet safety tips on the webpage, including not leaving pets in parked cars. They shared a video by Dr. Ernie Ward who sat in his car for 30 minutes in the hot sun, each of the four windows cracked at least an inch. Within 30 minutes, the temperature had reached 117 degrees.

Leaving a pet in a hot car can lead to over $1,000 in fines and up to 30 days in jail, police say.

Article image cocoparisienne via Pixabay