NJ Law: Bring Your Pets In From The Cold

Last year a law was signed that would force people to pay a $200 fine for leaving their pets outside in bad weather, be it hot or cold. With the sub-freezing temps of the past few days, make sure to bring your dogs in!

Executive director of the Associated Humane Societies and Popcorn Park Roseann Trezza said she expects to get more calls, but does admit that the law seems to be having some impact because they've received less calls since it passed.

The law states that temperatures of 32* or below are considered "adverse environmental conditions" and "other cold weather or precipitation-related environmental conditions" like snow, ice, rain, sleet, hail, and wind require animals to be brought inside. Animals cannot be left out in those conditions for more than 30 minutes "unless the animal has continuous access to proper shelter."

I have two dogs, and I can't imagine leaving them out in this kind of weather. Admittedly, they're both spoiled little lap dogs who don't even like stepping in the snow, but it can be nice to get them to run around and play for a bit. Still, unless you own a husky or a St. Bernard, these animals aren't usually conditioned for the cold. Even if you have a cold-weather dog, you'd have to be some kind of monster to leave them outside in sub-zero temps. It's a shame that people would even need a law and the threat of a fine to take care of their pets, but if that's what it takes, so be it.

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