BARTLETT, Tenn. — Animals are often left outside in frigid temps.
You could actually face jail time for not making sure your pets have proper shelter from the weather.
The Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County recommends you bring your pets inside in frigid temps. If you leave your pets outdoors and don’t provide adequate shelter, you could face more than 11 months in prison.
“For example, say if you just have a plain plastic doghouse and you think that’s enough, and when you’re talking about 20s, 10s, zeros…no, that’s not enough. You need to have blankets in there or you need to have straw,” Katie Pemberton with the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County said.
Kayla Gerke owns three dogs. She says it upsets her when she sees animals outside in these brutal temps.
“I’m from the North so I love the cold, and even to be outside for 10 or 15 minutes is still a lot for a human, so imagine leaving an animal out there,” she said.
Pemberton says pet owners could also face a $3,000 fine if they don’t obey the law.
“Not only is adequate shelter required, but you also need to make sure that your water is cleared and not frozen, and that your food is adequate and clean as well,” she said.
Although it isn’t against the law to leave your pets outside when it’s this cold, you must make sure they have proper shelter and water.