Dogs left outside during the winter?

Brooklynian » Forum » Prospect Heights »

Dogs left outside during the winter?

Share this!

ghostinthemachine
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 33

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew rules/regulations regarding how long someone can keep their dog outside in the winter.

Since moving into my current apartment 5 months ago, I've periodically noticed that someone a few apartment buildings away from me sometimes leaves their dog outside for long amounts of time - I can see the dog through several conjoined "back yards." In the late summer/fall, I don't see it being too much of a problem (besides the fact that the dog barks incessantly, so that could be a noise violation). I'm not home during the weekdays very often, but today I've noticed that the dog has been left on the back "porch" (aka fire escape) for the last 45 minutes. It's 31º F, and there's some snow on the ground.

I just feel bad for the dog. Is this normal and should I just calm down? Or do you guys think maybe it's a bit sketchy?
If it's relevant, the dog looks a bit like a spaniel mix, so mid-size dog. I don't know if it's cold, but it certainly can't be warm.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Leozoeypiper
above average
Joined: Jan '06
Posts: 573

I would definitely call 311 about this situation. Leaving a dog out on the fire escape is a big no no in my opinion. These people definitely need to be spoken to. Be sure to get the building number and what floor and fire escape you see it on. You will need this information when you call. I would continue to call every time you see it out there. Thanks for reporting this!

# Posted 2 yrs ago
tsarina
above average
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 479

Dogs and cats that are outside need food, water and shelter. Sounds like this dog is getting none of the above. Take pixs if you can to document the situation and get the address and apartment number. (ask the super) or if it is a brownstone, note the floor.
ASPCA animal cruelty should be called in this situation. Good luck.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
ghostinthemachine
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 33

Thanks for the reply! Next time I see this happening, I'll walk around the block and try to figure out which building it is.

To be clear, the fire escape part I was talking about is on the first floor and there is space for the dog to walk down on the ground below it (The dog is out of my view when it does this). But most of the time, the dog spends standing at the window, whining and barking to be let in.

I'd say someone must have let it in a few minutes after I posted this afternoon, but I still think 45 min is a long time in this temperature.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
ltjbukem
above average
Joined: Jul '05
Posts: 502

must be the same guys who think they don't need to curb their dogs.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
ghostinthemachine
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 33

Same dog as last time. Today it's been outside since 3:45 PM. It's not freezing today, but the temp says it "feels like" 37º which is pretty close to freezing.

I took (blurry) pics and will try to do something about it soon. My thoughts are that I'll write up a note and either tape it to the building door, or slide it through the mail slot. Maybe the owner will think twice if they see someone is noticing.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
OpossumQueen
rocking it
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 2,520

It sounds like the dog isn't happy, but if you makes you feel better, my dog is definitely not too cold at these temps and probably has as similar build and coat to the dog you describe. He has a dog door and chooses to go outside for hours at a time (after I'm frozen from 1-2 hours at off-leash). When there's ice or snow to sleep on, he spends even more time out there (and there is no sun in the winter). Once it drops below 15 or so, he spends less time out there (and since he can come in when he wants, he never has a reason to bark or whine).

Hopefully your note helps. It's so sad when people do stuff like that to their pets (and neighbors).

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Whatchuwant
Parliament Menthol Funkadelic
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 2,903

Yea, I'm outside with my dog for at LEAST an hour every day- except for when it's super cold or super shitty. In addition to their coats, they have a higher normal body temperature than humans, so what's cold to you, is not necessarily what they're feeling.
If the dog is kept out for all hours- day and night, chained up, with no food, water, or shelter, you have a case. 45 minutes in this weather is really not bad.

Does the dog look malnourished? Is he/she dirty and generally looks uncared for?

It is extremely difficult to get animal cops to respond to abuse cases. Unfortunately, this doesn't sound extreme enough.

"...you can choose the rain....but I choose the sun..." - N. Costa

# Posted 2 yrs ago
catwalkertexasranger
above average
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 483

since winter is over you should save this for next year.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Piano
above average
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 402

catwalkertexasranger said:
since winter is over you should save this for next year.

I wish. I'm always amazed how the cold of winter freezes people's memories beyond 300 days. Every year we get a little respite from the cold in early March and people think winter's over. But in my years here I've noticed that it doesn't get consistently warm until May (of course I'm a total wuss about the cold so my idea of warm may differ). But I'm expecting at least another snow storm before we're out of this winter.

Hope I'm wrong though.

That said, 45 minutes doesn't seem like a long amount of time for a dog to be outside in 31 degree temperature. My cat will pester me to go outside in much colder weather - and then will stay out for hours.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
ghostinthemachine
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 33

Thanks for weighing in everyone. It doesn't appear to be a pressing issue. As many of you have pointed out, dogs aren't as bothered by the cold as humans are. The reason I bumped this thread was because the length of time the dog was outside was so much greater than the first time I paid heed.

Bottom line, the dog isn't happy out there. At one point during the 3.5 hour stretch, it kind of freaked out and was yapping, whining, generally not happy. It calmed itself down, but kept intermittently barking.
So, the cold won't be an issue much longer. As for the barking...it's just bad dog "parenting." I'll definitely leave a note if it keeps happening. It's totally not fair for the neighbors (or the dog).

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Piano
above average
Joined: Sep '10
Posts: 402

All that matters is whether the dog is happy, and it sounds like he's not. I hate that. Why do people go to the trouble of having a pet and then don't take proper care of them?

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Whatchuwant
Parliament Menthol Funkadelic
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 2,903

I was thinking about this and maybe there is a way to get him inside. I mean, his barking could be considered a noise violation, so maybe a 311 complaint could do the trick. That's a stretch, though.

The other suggestion is to talk to the super of the building and see what he says- maybe he can help.

Good luck- I'm also sickened when I see dogs don't get the attention they need from the people that have taken them on. Why bother???

"...you can choose the rain....but I choose the sun..." - N. Costa

# Posted 2 yrs ago