Winter can be deadly for animals left outdoors, even temporarily

Most people wouldn’t dream of keeping their family pets outdoors or leaving an animal in a car unattended. Regardless, it’s important that we are all aware there are very specific laws in place to ensure the safety of pets not only in the Winter months but also during extreme heat or even regional weather alerts.

Below is some of what Massachusetts Legislation states regarding animals who are tethered outdoors (even temporarily) and also animals left unattended in motor vehicles in hot or cold weather.

– A person shall not leave a dog tethered [outside] for longer than 5 hours in a 24-hour period and outside from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., unless the tethering is for not more than 15 minutes.

– A person shall not leave a dog outside when a weather advisory, warning or watch is issued by a local, state or federal authority or when outside environmental conditions including, but not limited to, extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of the dog based on the dog’s breed, age or physical condition, unless the tethering is for not more than 15 minutes.

– After making reasonable efforts to locate a motor vehicle’s owner [whose unattended pet is in danger due to extreme heat or cold],  a person other than an animal control officer, law enforcement officer or fire fighter shall not enter a motor vehicle to remove an animal to protect the health and safety of that animal in immediate danger unless the person: (i) notifies law enforcement or calls 911 before entering the vehicle; (ii) determines that the motor vehicle is locked or there is no other reasonable means for exit and uses not more force than reasonably necessary to enter the motor vehicle and remove the animal; (iii) has a good faith and reasonable belief, based upon known circumstances, that entry into the vehicle is reasonably necessary to prevent imminent danger or harm to the animal; and (iv) remains with the animal in a safe location in reasonable proximity to the vehicle until law enforcement or another first responder arrives.

Naturally, awareness is the greatest tool for prevention when animal welfare is concerned so please inform yourself, spread the word and speak up if you see an animal who is not being appropriately cared for.

For the full article and bylaws, visit the following page:

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2016/Chapter248