Battle Creek Police Department Animal Control Officers have sought charges against five pet owners in the past 30 days, up from the normal two or three during the same period.
“It is the time of the year,” said Ronda Burgess, one of two animal control officers in the city.
“People don’t want to go out and feed their animals because it is too cold.”
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| Daisy, a terrier mix, was seized by Battle Creek Animal Control officers during an investigation of animal neglect. Trace Christenson/The Enquirer |
On Thursday, Burgess, Animal Control Officer Mike Ehart and Police Officer Shane Schwarz were at a home on Somerset Street where they found a dead dog and two more that were malnourished.
The dogs were kept inside by their 51-year-old owner but were living in filthy conditions and not given enough to eat.
The owner released the dogs to the officers and both were taken to a vet for evaluation and rehabilitation, Burgess said. The dead dog, found in a box on the back porch of the house, was removed. It was being studied to determine the cause of death but Burgess said it had been eating plastic grocery bags.
The tail on one of the dogs, Daisy, had to be amputated because it and the dog’s ears showed evidence of frostbite.
Both Daisy and the second dog, Cookie, are expected to recover.
An anonymous caller alerted officers, saying the owner had been taking the dogs out at night and they appeared to be malnourished.
Officers are seeking a warrant for neglect from the Calhoun County prosecutor.
But Burgess and Ehart said the more common neglect cases this time of the year are those of animals left outside in the cold without adequate shelter, food or water.
Burgess and Ehart said some residents of the city are leaving animals outside without shelter and in violation of the city ordinance about chaining animals.
Dogs can only be chained outside for an hour’s duration three times a day and with a break of at least three hours between each session outside.
Officers said they know some residents leave dogs outside around the clock.
“Winter is really tough on pets,” Ehart said. “Dogs are burning calories to stay warm and they should be fed more and they need more water. We are seeing more issues with dogs.”
Cold temperatures are especially difficult on short-haired dogs which use extra calories to stay warm. The cold also affects the pads of their feet which can be frostbitten.
Ehart said dogs should be fed two or three times a day instead of just once.
But with extremely cold temperatures like last week and with the forecast calling for more sub-zero temperatures next week, the officers said people should bring animals inside.
“Bring them in and out of the cold as much as possible,” Burgess said. “People should go outside with their dogs and when you come in the house because you are cold, bring them in the house.”
Sindy Buford, director of the Calhoun County Animal Center, said she sees neglect cases through the year, but they have been slightly higher in the past month.
“I am not sure what it is, whether it is unemployment or people losing their homes or being evicted,” Buford said.
“People don’t understand the cost of having an animal, like food, shelter, vet bills and a license,” Burgess said, “or they don’t care.”
In many cases, people bring the animals to the shelter and give them up, but Buford said they have seen some animals that have been left outside in the cold.
“Their pads show signs of frostbite and they are thin,” Buford said. “When the temperatures are zero or below they should bring them inside. When it is cold they should realize that a dog house and some straw is not enough.”
She and Ehart said dogs outside must be provided a shelter and insulation such as straw or wood chips. The house should be kept out of the wind and in a place where snow and ice will not blow into the shelter.
Buford suggests bedding of pine and cedar chips, which absorb moisture and help repel fleas. Blankets are not a good choice because they get wet.
Food also must be kept dry and warm water should be put out frequently so it won’t freeze as quickly.
“Dogs need a lot of water,” Buford said. “It is dryer conditions in the winter and they need water more often.”
Ehart said the two officers are always looking for violations but they also receive calls from neighbors, passersby, and animal protection groups that are looking for neglected animals.
(Battle Creek Enquirer - Jan 17, 2014)
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