Dallas Steps Up to Protect Pets in the Cold

Dallas Animal Services was particularly busy during the recent cold snap, receiving 401 calls about pets left out in the freezing weather. Most of these calls were about dogs without proper shelter.

Field Operations and Warnings

• Daniel Alvarado, who oversees field operations, shared that officers checked on 341 of these cases.
• They issued 61 warnings to pet owners.

Not all calls led to warnings. Some pets were fine when officers arrived. If a pet was found without shelter, officers gave the owner a warning and ensured the problem was fixed before leaving. Only one citation was issued, for a repeat offense, with fines starting at $156.

Texas Law and Pet Safety

Texas law states that pets left outside must have proper shelter and clean water. Alvarado explained that shelter should be leak-proof and protect pets from bad weather. Many violations come from people not understanding their pets' needs.

• While some breeds, like Huskies, can handle cold better, they still need shelter.
• Smaller dogs and those with thin coats suffer more in freezing temperatures.

Importance of Pet Care

Alvarado emphasized that pets can't tell us when they're cold. Providing shelter or bringing them inside is crucial.

• Normally, there are four to five officers on duty.
• But during the storm, they had six or seven officers out to handle the increased calls.