Humane officials say don’t leave pets out in the cold

NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Jan. 12, 2022) – The Tuscarawas County Humane Society is urging people with pets bring them inside during this frigid weather we’ve been experiencing.

Board Vice-President Kelly Schoelles if it’s so cold that you don’t want to go outside, your animals shouldn’t be out there either.

“I just can’t fathom an animal being outside in this weather at all whether there’s a dog box or not. I mean it is cold.”

She says if you’re concerned about someone else’s pet being left out in the elements, call their shelter or your local law enforcement agency if it’s an emergency since they can usually get there quicker.

“Because our humane officer also has a full-time job so it’s not like we can just drop everything and go out to an address,” she says. “So if the animal seems in distress in any way shape or form, I would call law enforcement, and they can always get a hold of us then as well.”

Schoelles says the humane society can and does seek criminal charges against the owners of animals that have been abused or neglected, although she thinks the laws that are currently in place in Ohio should be a lot stricter.

Written by