Wind And Dogs Don't Mix: Southington Animal Control/Canton Group

SOUTHINGTON/CANTON, CT — Southington Animal Control and a Canton-based dog recovery group are urging folks to be careful regarding their dogs with high-wind weather upon us.

A large wind and rainstorm pegged for late Thursday into Friday will also create windy conditions even after the rain stops.

And that, according to Southington Animal Control and the Canton-based CT Dog Gone Recovery Volunteer Network, means dogs usually skittish about wind, as many dogs are, could get loose and flee.

While most humans can just hunker down in bad weather, most dogs still have to be brought out to relieve themselves of any waste.

That's why extra precautions are necessary in the wind and rain, according to notifications posted Thursday by both organizations:

1 - Check all fence gates/panels to make sure they're closed before letting dogs out.
Use locks, clips or bungee cords on gates to make sure they don't blow open.

2 - If raining, be careful if using an umbrella. Wind could blow it away and scare a skittish dog.

3 - Have an extra secure hold on your dog's leash and don't use retractable leashes, even use a double leash if your dog is particularly skittish.

4 - Be alert of blowing plastic, blowing trash bins and anything else that could blow in the howling winds.

They can startle a dog, especially smaller one.

5 - Keep dog walks short and secure the leash with a carabiner to your belt so it can't slip from your hands.

"Please keep your dog safe. They are counting on you," wrote the CT Dog Gone Recovery Volunteer Network.

For more information on the CT Dog Gone Recovery Volunteer Network, click on this link.

For the Southington Animal Control Department's Facebook page, click on this link.