Animal Services On Patrol For Pets Left In The Cold

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Animal Services in Dallas will patrol this week as temperatures dip to make sure pet owners are keeping animals indoors.

Field Supervisor Edward Suarez said he expects the next 24 hours to be busy.

"The call volume has skyrocketed,' said Suarez. "When the temperature decreases so do the calls for animal welfare checks."

Suarez said they primarily rely on the public to inform them of circumstances that they need to check on but he said that Animal Services is also actively patrolling. And if an animal was left outdoors in extreme temperatures without a proper shelter, it could be a problem, according to Suarez.

"You must have a shelter that is adequate enough to keep an animal at a decent temperature," he advised.

Suarez said that if someone receives a violation they will give the pet owner ten days to fix the problem. A fine would cost $180 dollars.

A suitable shelter must be weather proof, have three solid sides with a base and a roof and the animal must be able to move around inside.

Suarez said they prefer people brings pets indoors if at all possible.

"If you're not comfortable to be out in the elements yourself, your dog isn't going to be comfortable either."