Cold weather danger: Dogs dying from exposure

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Temperatures are in the single digits, and that means it is simply too cold for pets to be outside for extended periods of time.

Choosing to leave them outside could be a deadly choice.

Alyssa Lewis is the co-founder of Peaceful Souls Animal Rescue and Recovery. She said reports of animal deaths are already coming in.

“Dogs are dying. Dogs died last night. They were found today that had frozen,” Lewis said Monday. “They are literally dying on the sides of the road, curled up beside people’s houses.”

Darcie Kurtz is the executive director of FIDO Indy. FIDO stands for Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside. Her organization helps educate people who leave their dogs outside before it is too late.

“Offering our help at the front door with things like inside training crates, flea treatment, and any tools we can use to help get these dogs out of the dangerous cold and into the warm house,” Kurtz said Monday. “Even if it’s a basement or a heated garage it’s better than leaving dogs out in these temperatures.”

Lewis said domesticated pets are not built for the cold temperatures like wild animals.

“These are not sled dogs. They live in our houses so they’re not used to these cold temperatures like we are,” Lewis said. “I kinda put it under the rule of thumb if you’re not willing to stay out there with your animal and let them outside then they probably shouldn’t be out there either.”

Kurtz reminds everyone to call for help if you see an animal outside for an extended period but first make sure the dog was outside for longer than 15 to 20 minutes because it could just be let out to do its business.

If you see a dog in need, either a pet or a stray, call the city government’s Indianapolis Animal Care Services.