Amendment Penalizes Owners Who Leave Their Dogs Tied Up Outside In Rough Weather Conditions

Oct 17, 2019 by apost team

The colder months of the year are quickly approaching. When Old Man Winter sends those chilling winds, it's extremely important to remember to bring your pets in out of the cold. Leaving them outside in freezing temperatures is dangerous.

For most people, making sure pets are protected from the elements is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, not everyone uses common sense when it comes to pet safety in the wintertime. Whether its an act of deliberate cruelty, absentmindedness, or a lack of awareness, there's no good excuse for allowing pets to endure this kind of weather outdoors.

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Some concerned citizens and lawmakers are finally starting to take action to protect pets from freezing their tails off outside. It's about time those who would treat these poor creatures with such negligence are held accountable. After all, leaving pets outside in extreme temperatures actually is a form of animal abuse.

Over the past few years, there have been numerous reports of animals left outside in bitterly cold weather. That's why in August of 2017 Pennsylvania legislators voted to amend their state's 1983 animal cruelty law to include a provision known as Libre's Law (HB 1238) reports Humane PA.

According to Libre's Law, dogs can't be left on a tether any longer than half an hour when the temperature is lower than the freezing temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This law is also applicable in hot summer temperatures that reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Any owner caught leaving a dog out longer than 30 minutes in these extremely hot or cold temperatures will face a penalty of up to 90 days in jail or a $300 fine. Prison sentences increase to a year and the fine to $2,000 if the animal suffers bodily injury as a result of their abuse and neglect.

In case you're wondering why it's called Libre's Law, it was named for a Boston Terrier who, at only seven weeks of age, nearly froze to death reported Penn Live. He was found in Pennsylvania's puppy mill hub of Lancaster County with maggots all over his body and severely neglected. A concerned farmer rescued him from a farm.

When Libre made it to the vet his life was in serious jeopardy. Amazingly, the diligent team at Speranza Animal Rescue along with the Dillsburg Veterinary Center were able to slowly bring him back to health. After that harrowing incident, he became the poster dog of a movement within the state to protect animals from suffering in such deplorable conditions. Libre was given the opportunity to add his paw print signature when the law finally passed.

Pennsylvania was the first state to add temperature restrictions to a state law restricting the length of time a dog could be tethered outside. Other states have begun to follow suit. Hopefully, Libre's story, which almost ended in tragedy, will continue to be a triumph for all who wish to see an end to animal cruelty.

What are your thoughts about Libre's Law? Do you agree that it's cruel and harmful to leave dogs tethered outside in extreme heat or cold? We'd love to read your thoughts in the comments below. Pass this story along to help raise awareness of this inspiring movement to end animal cruelty.