Westmont, Illinois -- Date Issued: November 18, 2022
The Westmont Police Department would like to remind residents about pet safety in cold weather. The Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act enables law enforcement to proactively address cruel treatment of pets, which includes extreme weather conditions that may result in injury or death. The Westmont Police Department has been trained to enforce village and state laws that fall under the Humane Care Act.
Like people, pets are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Long-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather, but no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in below-freezing weather. Following are a few cold weather pet safety tips:
- Pets should be monitored when they are outside during cold weather.
- During cold weather, pets should only be outside for short periods of time.
- Cold weather can dry out dog pads, and salt and ice between their toes can cause injury – Be sure to check their paws after walks or consider using dog booties.
- If your dog has a shorter coat, you may want to consider a dog coat/sweater to keep them warm and dry.
- Avoid ice-covered water. Ponds, lakes and other water may not be fully frozen and your pet could break through the ice and be injured.
- Make some noise when entering your vehicle to scare off any wild animals that might be using your car for warmth.
- Cold weather also brings the risk of severe winter weather, blizzards and power outages. Prepare an emergency winter weather kit that includes items for your family pets.
If you suspect any kind of neglect regarding pets being left outside or unattended this winter season, contact the Westmont Police Department at 630-981-6300 or if the animal is in immediate danger, dial 9-1-1.
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