It is unfortunate that in our developed XXI century legislators had to intervene between owners and their dogs and to take measures to protect animals from the tyranny of their own owners. In Pennsylvania, authorities are considering a new law No. 1238, called Libre Law, which forbids the owners to leave dogs in the cold. Failure to comply with all regulations, violators face severe punishment including imprisonment.
The bill says that the owner had left their dog outside in freezing temperatures (below 32 degrees Fahrenheit) without an appropriate weather-insulated shelter for more than 30 minutes, may be behind bars for a period from 90 days to 7 years or pay a fine in the amount from $50-$750 to $15,000. The degree of severity of the punishment depends on how injured the dog and did damage caused by cold, the death of the animal.
The doghouse should be dry, warm and protected from precipitation to pet feel comfortable. In addition, it should be placed on a small elevation above the ground, below the frost did not get in from the bottom.
Authorities are asking local residents to contact the animal protection society Humane Society in Pennsylvania or call the police if they see a dog left out in the cold.
