As the weather changes to biting winds and bitter cold, animals that are forced to live outdoors need our help. New York state law requires certain protections for dogs, but no law is in place to help cats.
For those who leave their dogs outside all the time the law states: “Any person who owns or has custody or control of a dog that is left outdoors shall provide it with shelter appropriate to its breed, physical condition, (which includes any special medical needs due to disease, illness, injury, age or breed) and climate.”
The law further states that a dog's “housing facility must: (1) have a waterproof roof; (2) be structurally sound with insulation appropriate to local climate and sufficient to protect the dog from inclement weather; (3) be constructed to allow each dog adequate freedom of movement to make normal postural adjustments, including the ability to stand up, turn around and lie down with its limbs outstretched; and (4) allow for effective removal of excretions, other waste material, dirt and trash. The housing facility and the area immediately surrounding it shall be regularly cleaned to maintain a healthy and sanitary environment and to minimize health hazards.”
Violations can trigger a series of escalating fines and jail time.
The physical and psychological effects that these outdoor dogs endure go beyond winter weather. A dog that is forced to live outdoors for its life is usually not up to date on shots and is full of parasitic worms and is easily attacked by other animals or teased by humans. In winter they can suffer frostbitten ears.
Dogs are pack animals and we humans have become their pack. When they are isolated from their family, they struggle to get free and act out in different ways - jumping, barking, biting as they cry out for attention and are ignored.
Eventually the owner can say the dog smells, is not house trained and is not fit to come into the house (of course the owner caused this).
Yet all this can be reversed in most cases with some attention, affection, exercise (leash walking) and a bit of training. Failing this proper care and attention the owner should find a good home for the dog. There are organizations, such as Dogs Deserve Better, that try to rescue and rehabilitate such dogs and place them in loving homes.
Anyone who sees a dog living outside without proper shelter, without water, food or medical care should make a report to the FLSPCA by phone or directly to the SPCA cruelty investigators by e-mail at report@hleny.us.
To read NYS laws pertaining to animals, go to www.agmkts.state.ny.us then to Article 26. Animal Advocates has some dog houses.
Stray and feral cats have a very tough time in winter also. If you are feeding a colony that doesn't have shelter, Animal Advocates has plans for simple to make shelters and has some already made up.
Coexisting with coyotes
According to the Animal Protection Institute, coyotes are one of the most misunderstood and persecuted animals in the United States. Yet they play a role in maintaining the health of different habitats mostly by excluding or killing smaller predators such as foxes, raccoons and skunks. They are not a disease threat and, in fact, reduce the density of skunks and foxes who are more likely to be infected with rabies.
They are opportunistic omnivores that feed on a variety of small mammals (rodents and rabbits), insects and fruit. They usually avoid people and are usually frightened by aggressive gestures or loud noises.
Coyotes typically weigh 20 to 45 pounds and look like a tan shepherd type dog. They are drawn to neighborhoods for two reasons: human encroachment into their habitat or the availability of food, water and shelter. Some tips to prevent coyotes from being attracted to your home are:
€ Tightly secure garbage cans
€ Use well-secured compost bins
€ Pick ripe fruit from trees and off the ground
€ Keep bird feeders from overflowing
€ Fence property with six-foot tall fence
€ Install outdoor lighting triggered by motion sensors
€ Keep pets and other animals in at night
Trapping and relocating coyotes is not recommended by the Animal Protection Institute and is illegal in some areas. Disruption of coyote families can cause orphaned juveniles to seek easy prey including small dogs and cats. Dogs should be spayed or neutered to prevent mating with coyotes.
Judy Vorreuter is the founder and director of Animal Advocates of the Finger Lakes. Contact her at judy@cayugaanimaladvocates.org
The law further states that a dog's “housing facility must: (1) have a waterproof roof; (2) be structurally sound with insulation appropriate to local climate and sufficient to protect the dog from inclement weather; (3) be constructed to allow each dog adequate freedom of movement to make normal postural adjustments, including the ability to stand up, turn around and lie down with its limbs outstretched; and (4) allow for effective removal of excretions, other waste material, dirt and trash. The housing facility and the area immediately surrounding it shall be regularly cleaned to maintain a healthy and sanitary environment and to minimize health hazards.”
Violations can trigger a series of escalating fines and jail time.
The physical and psychological effects that these outdoor dogs endure go beyond winter weather. A dog that is forced to live outdoors for its life is usually not up to date on shots and is full of parasitic worms and is easily attacked by other animals or teased by humans. In winter they can suffer frostbitten ears.
Dogs are pack animals and we humans have become their pack. When they are isolated from their family, they struggle to get free and act out in different ways - jumping, barking, biting as they cry out for attention and are ignored.
Eventually the owner can say the dog smells, is not house trained and is not fit to come into the house (of course the owner caused this).
Yet all this can be reversed in most cases with some attention, affection, exercise (leash walking) and a bit of training. Failing this proper care and attention the owner should find a good home for the dog. There are organizations, such as Dogs Deserve Better, that try to rescue and rehabilitate such dogs and place them in loving homes.
Anyone who sees a dog living outside without proper shelter, without water, food or medical care should make a report to the FLSPCA by phone or directly to the SPCA cruelty investigators by e-mail at report@hleny.us.
To read NYS laws pertaining to animals, go to www.agmkts.state.ny.us then to Article 26. Animal Advocates has some dog houses.
Stray and feral cats have a very tough time in winter also. If you are feeding a colony that doesn't have shelter, Animal Advocates has plans for simple to make shelters and has some already made up.
Coexisting with coyotes
According to the Animal Protection Institute, coyotes are one of the most misunderstood and persecuted animals in the United States. Yet they play a role in maintaining the health of different habitats mostly by excluding or killing smaller predators such as foxes, raccoons and skunks. They are not a disease threat and, in fact, reduce the density of skunks and foxes who are more likely to be infected with rabies.
They are opportunistic omnivores that feed on a variety of small mammals (rodents and rabbits), insects and fruit. They usually avoid people and are usually frightened by aggressive gestures or loud noises.
Coyotes typically weigh 20 to 45 pounds and look like a tan shepherd type dog. They are drawn to neighborhoods for two reasons: human encroachment into their habitat or the availability of food, water and shelter. Some tips to prevent coyotes from being attracted to your home are:
€ Tightly secure garbage cans
€ Use well-secured compost bins
€ Pick ripe fruit from trees and off the ground
€ Keep bird feeders from overflowing
€ Fence property with six-foot tall fence
€ Install outdoor lighting triggered by motion sensors
€ Keep pets and other animals in at night
Trapping and relocating coyotes is not recommended by the Animal Protection Institute and is illegal in some areas. Disruption of coyote families can cause orphaned juveniles to seek easy prey including small dogs and cats. Dogs should be spayed or neutered to prevent mating with coyotes.
Judy Vorreuter is the founder and director of Animal Advocates of the Finger Lakes. Contact her at judy@cayugaanimaladvocates.org
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monicas wrote on Nov 18, 2007 7:54 PM: