$1,000 Fine Possible For Leaving Pets Outside In Cold Blast

ANNAPOLIS, MD — With lows dropping into the 20s overnight Friday and strong winds making it feel 10 degrees colder, Anne Arundel County authorities will be on the lookout for pets tied up and left unattended outside. Dog owners face a maximum fine of $1,000 for violating the anti-animal cruelty ordinance.

County Animal Control said Friday that its officers considers weather where the temperature or wind chill drops below 20 degrees to warrant bringing animals indoors. Temperatures will be in the mid-20s overnight, says the National Weather Service. Expect clear skies with a low around 26, a north wind of 10 to 16 mph will bring gusts as high as 23 mph. The area is under a freeze warning from 7 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday.

Residents need to be particularly careful with all pets during blasts of cold weather. The best advice during extreme weather conditions is to bring pets indoors, say county officials. Even animals that are used to living outdoors can be susceptible to the dangers of cold weather.

In accordance with the law, when the county executive declares a severe weather animal emergency, dogs left outside unattended must be provided the following:

• Fresh clean drinkable non-frozen water at all times
• Dog flaps/doors must be affixed to dog houses (and dogs must be trained/able to use the house with the flap)
• Dog house entrances must be oriented away from prevailing winds
• Dog houses must be elevated off the ground (at least 2 inches and above any accumulated precipitation)
• Dog houses must have abundant dry bedding available inside
• Dog houses must protect an animal against the weather. A dog house, shed, garage or other large area that has temperatures that reach below 33 degrees Fahrenheit inside is too large to allow a dog to maintain adequate body temperature to sustain life will be considered insufficient.

It is the opinion of Anne Arundel County Animal Control that if the temperature or wind chills are expected to be at or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit all dogs should be brought indoors to an area that will not reach below 33 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the agency. The animal emergency is in effect the same time as the freeze warning.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a civil citation with fines ranging from $125 to $1,000, removal of the animal, and/or criminal prosecution depending on the conditions found, such as abuse or neglect of an animal by leaving dogs outside and unattended by use of restraints.

If you see an animal left outside that appears to be in danger, call Animal Control immediately at (410) 222-8900.

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