Too Cold for You? Too Cold for Pets, Too

The Montgomery County Police Department posted a reminder Thursday that with the below-freezing temperatures, the law requires residents to shelter their pets or bring them inside.

Section II-C of the regulation says “a person must not tether a dog under circumstances that endanger its health, safety, or well-being including: unattended tethering of a dog during a weather emergency.”

Montgomery County Police Animal Services say people need to be particularly careful with all pets during this time period of cold. All dogs spending time outdoors must have access to water and shelter to properly protect themselves from the elements. The best advice during periods of extreme weather conditions is to bring pets indoors.

Tips from veterinarians for cold weather care of a dog include:

• Provide a heated bed and shelter for dogs which cannot come indoors.

• Avoid letting your dog eat snow – keep fresh room temperature water available at all times.

• Keep food and water in a place where it will not freeze – preferably inside.

• A dog’s ears and tail are susceptible to frostbite; check them after a dog has been outside for a long period of time.

• A dog licking the salt off the bottom of his paws can make him sick, so wipe his paws after he walks through a salted area.

Patch file photo.

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