November 26, 2015
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO//CHESTER COUNTY SPCA
The Chester County SPCA warns that more dogs perish in the winter than at any other time of the year.
There’s a plan to prevent pupsicles in one Northern Pennsylvania county with severe penalties for leaving dogs outside without adequate shelter from the cold.
Or the heat.
But the regulation adopted by Luzerne County earlier this week cannot go into effect until March 1, 2017 because of the state constitution, according to CitizensVoice.com.
The county council has adopted an ordinance that forbids leaving dogs outdoors unattended for more than 30 minutes if the temperature drops below 26 degrees or rises above 92 degrees or if the National Weather Service has issued a severe weather advisory.
All but one of the county council members voted for the regulation.
Agents for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will enforce the regulation. They are authorized to temporarily confiscate dogs from owners if they fail provide shelter.
Violators will get a notice giving them one day to comply.
For tips on safeguarding your dog now, visit the Chester County SPCA's website.
