Gwinnett County officials are reminding residents: Dogs get cold, too.
Snellville police shared a Facebook post Monday advising residents to avoid chaining their pets outside during freezing temperatures. The post has been shared more than 250 times.
Snellville police have not seen an uptick in calls about dogs left outside, but the post served as a warning, Snellville Police Capt. Greg Perry told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“It’s a situation that if a person wouldn’t want to be outside, your animal shouldn’t be outside,” Perry said. “We do get calls about dogs left outside.”
Gwinnett County's ordinance on animal neglect does cover sheltering dogs and other pets in extreme cold weather, said Gwinnett County Police spokeswoman Michelle Pinera.
According to the ordinance, animals must have adequate food and shelter. Pet owners that violate the shelter ordinance could receive a citation and a fine, Pinera said.
Another Gwinnett County department has also socially campaigned for keeping pets safe from the cold this winter. Gwinnett County Animal Shelter also recently sent out a Facebook post warning owners that cats and dogs are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite.
For more on winter pet safety, check out Gwinnett County's winter pet safety list
