Frigid Weather Warnings For Your Pets: Beverly Animal Control

BEVERLY, MA — As North Shore residents endure what are forecast to be some of the coldest temperatures in years on Tuesday, Beverly Animal Control has some tips and reminders to make sure your pets stay healthy amid the deep freeze.

Beverly Animal Control said that all pets should be brought indoors in extreme weather conditions. Wind chill poses a threat to pets outdoors even if they are protected in a shelter.

Dogs should never be left unattended in below-freezing temperatures. Even though dogs will still need to go outside for short stints for exercise and to go to the bathroom, they should be supervised at all times and should not be outside for longer than 15 minutes.

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140m Section 174E makes it a crime to leave a pet unattended outside for more than 15 minutes.

Water should be made plentiful in cold and dry temperatures. Water in outdoor environments should be checked frequently to make sure it is not frozen.

Dog sweaters are not only cute, they should be considered when a pet goes outside — especially if the dog is hairless or has a smooth coat.

Keep pets away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water. Even if a body of water appears frozen over, water currents may make the ice unable to sustain a pet's weight. If a pet does fall through the ice, owners are advised to call 9-1-1 and not attempt a rescue themselves because if the ice could not sustain the pet's weight the owner could wind up in danger in the water as well.

As is the case in the heat, owners should never allow pets to be alone in a vehicle in freezing temperatures.

"Vehicles will act like refrigerators during cold weather and can result in your animal suffering from hypothermia and requiring medical attention," Beverly Animal Control said.

Owners should also carefully watch out for a pet's paws from salt and ice melt. Paws should be washed thoroughly after walking on these types of chemicals.

"If your dog is whining, stops walking or picks up its feet while on a walk, your dog is trying to tell you it is too cold outside and it is time to return home," Beverly Animal Control said.

Residents who see an animal potentially in danger during these cold temperatures in Beverly are asked to call Animal Control at 978-605-2361 to get help and file a report.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)