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Wednesday, February 03, 1999 By Linda Wilson Fuoco
The woman apparently cares about her dog. At least she cared enough to call a local shelter on a recent day when wind chills were below zero to ask this question:
"Can I leave him outside just from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. when I'm at work?"
NO! NO! NO!
That's the answer she got from Tim Crum, director of development and public relations at Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania. Crum then asked me to write a story telling people not to leave pets outside in bitter weather.
Every winter, I get this request from welfare and rescue groups. Every winter I politely say "no." I assumed everyone knows pets cannot survive without adequate shelter.
I was wrong.
At least 12 dogs and cats with frostbite or other weather-related ills were rescued by Animal Friends humane agent Kathy Hecker in just one week in January. And that's just at one shelter.
The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society has two agents. Animal Care and Welfare has one. State and local police officers also have the authority to enforce animal protection laws.
It's true that wolves, panthers and other wild animals survive harsh weather - most of the time. But your pets have been domesticated for many, many generations. Most pets don't have sufficient fur, body fat or survival skills. Even a Siberian husky or an Alaskan malamute cannot survive outside without shelter, food and water.
On frigid January days, humane agents worked 15-hour days to investigate reports from people who care more about animals than their owners do.
"The roads were so bad, I couldn't get to all of the animals," Hecker said, her voice tinged with regret.
Dogs and cats can be kept outside legally and humanely. The guidelines include a sturdy, leakproof shelter with lots of bedding, like hay or straw.
But humane agents find dogs tied outside on short chains with no shelter at all. They've found puppies and kittens frozen to the ground. Though their first line of defense is to help the owner provide proper care, they can and do issue citations carrying maximum fines of $750.
Last year, the Humane Society investigated 883 reports of animal cruelty. They filed 112 citations.
If you see an animal with inadequate shelter - this includes horses and other farm animals - report it.
Here are more winter tips I've picked up from animal lovers who know far more than I do:
Nothing is better for the body and soul of dogs and owners than a nice long walk. But the benefits of outdoor exercise must be weighed against the risk of injury. Dogs can fall on the ice and break bones, too. I've seen dog walkers and joggers out on days that were dangerously cold and perilously icy.
To report abuse or neglect, call the Humane Society at 412-321-4625 (North Side) or 412-751-2010 (Elizabeth); or Animal Friends at 412-566-2103.
Lucy Harmon is a puppy, not a person. But when her life was on the line, Wilkinsburg firefighters answered the call.
The 8-week-old 3 1/2-pound shih tzu had been in Thomas and Linda Harmon's home for less than a week when she crawled behind the stove.
"She got her head stuck between the gas pipe and the wall," Linda Harmon said. "She was crying and having trouble breathing. She was dying. We tried everything before calling 911. It took three firemen 10 minutes to rescue her. I just think they are so wonderful and I want people to know."
The Harmons' heroes are Lt. Don Allen, driver Ron Benjamin and firefighter John Gardell.
"Cute little thing," Allen said. "Mr. Harmon put soap on her but couldn't slide her out. We used a rabbit tool which is used to force open metal doors."
Wilkinsburg firefighters have rescued many animals - even wild rabbits. "As long as we have the time" and human life is not at risk, Allen said.
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Cute coats and sweaters aren't just an affectation inflicted on dogs by silly owners. Dogs with very short, thin coats and very little body fat may actually need sweaters and coats. In addition to the obvious small breeds like Chihuahuas and Boston terriers, some large breeds, including greyhounds, fall under this heading.