CORTLAND COMMUNITY SPCA LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT 01-07-15 Public Service announcement extreme cold weather a danger to pets Patrols and Enforcement of State Law requiring adequate protection for domestic and companion animals ongoing The recent extreme cold temperatures and high winds have CCSPCA Investigators out in all areas of Cortland County today, ensuring both pets and domestic animals are being protected from the recent extreme temperatures. New York State Law gives the tools to SPCA Investigators and Police to Charge people with a violation of the State’s animal cruelty laws, arrest, and/or if needed seize the animal that is the basis of the complaint. CCSPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department Senior Investigator Bill Carr states, “Most of this is just plain common sense.” “In temperatures like this, by this time people should just know better.” When it is this cold out the law requires you to provide ADEQUATE protection from the cold weather. Carr stated “If im freezing out here in a jacket hat and gloves and your dog doesn’t have required protection it is just common sense to me as it should be to an owner. If it isn’t perhaps the person should try sitting out in their yard in a lawn chair for 24 hours and see if the perspective changes. Where common sense does not prevail in this issue is where education and enforcement of New York State Law begins Carr said. Also in these temperature WATER needs to be changed and provided more frequently as it freezes. This will also be something Investigators will be looking for. Carr states, there are some very diligent, & loving pet owners out there, this is not to take away from them and their relationship with their companions. Unfortunately though there are still those where an animal is just an afterthought & perhaps those animals would be better off in a different home if the burden of their care is too great. For Dogs New York state is very specific as written in Section 353-B (written below) of New York State Agriculture & Markets Law 2. (a) Any person who owns or has custody or control of a dog that is left outdoors shall provide it with shelter appropriate to its breed, physical condition and the climate. Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars for a first offense, and a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars for a second and subsequent offenses. (b) For all dogs that are left outdoors in inclement weather, a housing facility, which must: (1) have a waterproof roof; (2) be structurally sound with insulation appropriate to local climatic conditions and sufficient to protect the dog from inclement weather; (3) be constructed to allow each dog adequate freedom of movement to make normal postural adjustments, including the ability to stand up, turn around and lie down with its limbs outstretched; and (4) allow for effective removal of excretions, other waste material; dirt and trash. The housing facility and the area immediately surrounding it shall be regularly cleaned to maintain a healthy and sanitary environment and to minimize health hazards. 4. Inadequate shelter may be indicated by the appearance of the housing facility itself, including but not limited to, size, structural soundness, evidence of crowding within the housing facility, healthful environment in the area immediately surrounding such facility, or by the appearance or physical condition of the dog . Carr further stated that New York State Law has requirements for domestic animals as well such as horses and other livestock and the CCSPCA is equally concerned with them. Moreover Carr states that although willing to help educate people and work with them to understand what is required. The CCSPCA’s Humane Law enforcement Department will have no hesitation in charging, arresting, an owner and/or seizing the animal if necessary.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:01:38 +0000
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