Can I get arrested for keeping a dog outside at 23 degrees?

Question

My neighbor complained that I left my dog outside when it was 23 degrees. He said he would call the police. Will I be fined?

Answer 1

As long as your dog has food, water(heated dish in winter), and shelter from the wind(insulated dog house with flap), then you will not be fined. Hopefully you love your dog and take it for daily walks and provide it with chew toys...but really it is best if your dog can live in the house with you.

Answer 2

I grew up with a St. Bernard. He absolutely loved the snow and being outside in the cold weather. He loved to lay around all year, but when the first snow came there would be tracks all over the yard and he would act like a pup when we would go outside to wait for the bus. He didn't really like any temps above 50 or 60. He actually loved eating snow.

An animal, even a pet, being outside is not by itself grounds for anything. Even being a bad owner. Like some constructive others have said your dog should have proper care while out there. Proper temperatures depends on the type of breed. Some dogs aren't built to deal with cold, others with heat.

People camp outside in temperatures below 23 degrees all the time. They are properly prepared. Possibly crazy, but properly prepared none the less.

Answer 3

It depends on the ordinances and laws in your state. At 23 degrees here in Masschusetts it gets pretty cold and I don't know of any dog owner who should keep their dog outside, unless the dog is made for living in cold places like Alaska.

I think it's animal cruelty and your neighbor might have a case if they feel the dog should be inside and how much noise the dog is making. It's up to the police if they want to launch an investigation and take your dog away.

Answer 4

Forget the fine issue-If you are going to leave a dog outside in 23 degree weather you shouldn't have a dog. Seriously. Dogs are very social, emotional animals and should be kept close to the 'the pack' (you and your family) and preferably inside with you. Dogs are like furry little people. You wouldn't think of leaving a person outside in this cold weather (or very hot weather for that matter). Please consider finding a new home for your dog if he stays outside all the time.

Answer 5

I hope so, unless you have made other arrangements for the dog to get warm. Do you want to be left out when it is 23 degrees outside?

I guess the exception might be if it is a cold weather dog like a Huskie but even then, dogs can get used to the warmth.

No, I vote you get a fine the first time and your dog taken away the second time.

Answer 6

Yes. You will be fined and your dog may be taken from you.

You are very lucky to have a neighbor who looks out for your dog. It's obvious you didn't know you were doing anything wrong so I would chat with your neighbor if I were you, admit that you didn't understand that you could have hurt your dog, and make friends.

He will be less likely to call the police on you and more likely to take the dog into his own home should something happen inthe future.
That having been said, Your dog is extremely lucky it did not freeze to death. I live in the high Sierras, snow country, and we don't leave our dogs outside in that weather for longer than it takes for them to do their business and run around a bit. Seriously, and we have some honkin big dogs up here with massive amounts of fur.

Even huskies, if they are not born and bred in snow country, can die of exposure.

Please install a doggie door or leave your dog in the house while you are away. Dogs shouldn't be outside all day long at any time of the year, even in summer.

As far as what dogs did before people kept them in houses as pets....what did people do before they lived in houses.

Stupid analogy.

Answer 7

It depends on what Animal Cruelty investigators determine after seeing your dog. If your dog has adequate outdoor shelter with access to fresh unfrozen water at all times then you should be fine. Otherwise you could be fined and/or arrested depending on the health of the dog.
Of course the only way your dog could have fresh water that isn't frozen available while outside would mean there is a source of heat and warmth.
In my city when the temp will go below freezing, there are advisories to bring outdoor pets inside and to cover plants.

Answer 8

Yes, you probably will. Where I live, a person will be cited with Animal Cruelty if a dog is left outside when the temperature goes below freezing. It depends on the animal laws in your city/county/state.

BTW, your neighbor did the right thing, and it sounds like he won't let you get away with abusing your dog, so if I were you, I'd bring the dog in and not risk the hassle, or find the poor dog a new home. You could post an ad in your local newspaper offering the dog up for a small adoption fee.

Answer 9

Your dog should be taken away. Why would you keep your dog outside in such cold weather? What kind of dog do you have? How long was he outside? Does he have shelter? If you have a dog like a malamute or husky and he has warm shelter, if he was only left outside for a little while he should be fine. But a short haired dog with no shelter outside for hours is cruel, and your dog could freeze to death. Why don't you just bring him inside to keep him comfortable and safe.

Answer 10

Human always think they love their dog and let their dog wear clothes, go for SPA treatment, keep in the house with heater and etc. Actually they are torturing the dog. They forgot dogs are animal. Animal need to have their own place; animal love the natural, they like outdoor. Human without clothes may feel cold at 23 degrees, but not dog, your stupid neighbour probably think the dog is just like him. Trust me, you would be fined, unless you torture your dog.

Answer 11

l think that is too cold for a dog to be out side but that depends on what kind of dog it is. and if it has the proper shelter to keep it self warm. but if the dog do not have the proper things to keep it warm yes you could get in trouble. there are a lot of people out there that really do care for the welfare of a animal even if they own one or not. l would never leave my dog out there when it was cold. after all, isn't your dog a pet or just a thing.