By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
AROOSTOOK COUNTY — Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has issued its annual warning for all pet owners to keep their animals inside during the freezing temperatures brought on by winter in Aroostook County.PETA receives thousands of complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold every year. Although they are equipped with fur coats, PETA warns, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze.
“It’s never a good idea to leave an animal outside when the temperature drops below freezing,” agreed Caribou’s Animal Control Officer Charlie Ketch.
Ketch has been in the animal control officer position since 1997, and, in that time, has seen what tragic effect overexposing an animal to the frigid cold can have. Thankfully, Ketch said, it is not a common occurrence in this area.
“We receive complaints, but it’s usually nothing that stopping by and talking to the animal’s owner can’t fix,” Ketch advised. “A lot of times people just don’t realize what can happen.”
PETA offered the following tips for keeping animals safe in the winter.
• Keep animals indoors. This is absolutely critical when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or coat on walks.
• Don’t allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors. During winter, cats will sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
• Wipe off your dog’s or cat’s legs, feet and stomachs after they come in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make your animals sick if they ingest them. You should also increase animals’ food rations during the winter because they burn more calories in an effort to stay warm.
• Keep an eye out for stray animals. Do not put yourself in harm’s way, but if the animal doesn’t pose a threat, take it indoors until you can find its guardians, or take it to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, notify authorities.
• During extreme winter weather, birds and other animals have trouble finding food and water. Offer rations to wildlife that are caught in storms or whiteouts by spreading birdseed on the ground. Provide access to water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day. Remember to remove the food once the weather improves to encourage the animals to move on to warmer areas.
While cold weather spells hardship for “backyard dogs,” which often go without adequate food, water, shelter or veterinary care, Ketch acknowledged that some heavier coated dogs, like Alaskan malamutes, might prefer to stay outside.
Again stressing how important it is to keep an animal inside as much as possible, Ketch advised that if it is to be out for any length of time, it needs to have access to shelter, food and water. The shelter needs to be off the ground, insulated and out of the wind, and it must be sizable enough that the animal can turn around and stand up. The shelter should also be lined with hay, sawdust or shavings.
“But, really,” Ketch lamented, “why even have an animal if you’re just going to leave it outside?”
Ketch said he and fellow animal control officers appreciate public awareness of the neglect issue and welcome anyone to call the proper authorities if they suspect an animal is being mistreated. He warned that animal neglect carries some serious repercussions, including a $2,500 fine and a year in jail.
According to Ketch, a good indication that an animal has been outside too long is if it is shaking uncontrollably for 15 to 20 minutes. He advised anyone who witnesses that situation should call authorities immediately so the animal can be rescued.
For more information on animal cold-weather safety, visit PETA’s website at PETA.org. Ketch can be reached via the Caribou Police Department at 493-3301.
