SLIDESHOW: Shelters rescuing dogs from outdoors amid freezing temperatures
Several shelters have made posts on their Facebook pages about dogs they have rescued from the outdoors amid freezing temperatures.
Animal Charity of Ohio, located at 8469 Southern Boulevard in Youngstown, posted to its Facebook page on Monday, January 19, that the shelter had rescued six dogs while responding to a call in the second ward of Youngstown.
Upon arrival, human officers found the dogs chained outside, described as having bleeding paws and tails due to the effect of prolonged cold exposure.
The dogs have been relocated to the Animal Charity of Ohio shelter, where they are receiving medical attention.
Animal Charity of Ohio indicates that they expect charges to be filed in connection with this incident.
In Trumbull County, Jason Cooke, Founder of the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project located at 909 Martin Luther King Boulevard Southwest in Warren, made a post to his Facebook page about a call out of North Bloomfield.
In that post, Cooke describes that a dog was found outside without proper shelter.
On scene, humane agents located a dog inside a wire fence enclosure outdoors. The dog box found with the dog had no flap, and snow was found inside it.
Furthermore, Cooke said that there was very little straw present and no water was found.
Cooke goes on to say that attempts to reach out to the owner were unsuccessful and that a probable cause hearing will take place at some point in the next 10 days.
These rescues come amid freezing temperatures that the Mahoning Valley area is experiencing, with overnight low temperatures predicted to be two degrees with windchill bringing the "feels like" temperatures to 10 to 15 degrees below zero.
Animal Charity of Ohio shared some tips with owners on how to keep pets safe outdoors.
The organization says that if you must take your pet outside to go to the bathroom, ensure that older dogs and young puppies are not outside for very long.
If going on a walk, it is recommended that there is a limit set, and your dog has a jacket.
"It's so important to keep these guys warm because it regulates their body temperature and when your body temperature drops, then it's hard to get that back up and it can cause secondary effects to the animals," said Jenny Falvey, Animal Charity of Ohio Board President.
