CHICAGO — Leave your pet outside in the freezing weather, and you could face a hefty fine from the city.
Under the city's Municipal Code 7-12-290, failing to "provide adequate shelter for any animal in the person's care or custody with proper food, water, air or sanitary shelter" can result in a fine of $300 to $1,000 per offense.
This year, 27 tickets were issued between Jan. 1 and Dec. 15., according to the Chicago Police Department.
In 2015, police wrote 28 tickets to animal owners, records show.
A Chicago Police Department spokesman said that "311" is the number to call to report what appears to be the mistreatment of any animal.
Investigators with the city's Animal Care and Control Department do "wellness checks" after a 311 call, which could lead to a citation.
Dr. Jacob Cohen with Wicker Park Veterinary, 1166 N. Milwaukee Ave., said that dogs, just like people, are at risk in cold weather.
"When it is this cold out, dogs can get hypothermia or frostbite. People should know if they are too cold, their dog might be too cold, too," Cohen said.
Cohen said if dogs' paws seem to be in pain from ice or salt, "boots might help" and "thin-haired dogs could benefit from wearing a sweater."
"In the city, we don't have a lot of outdoor dogs, but if there are, they should not be kept outside in this type of weather," Cohen said.
Animal Care and Control recommends that dogs and cats stay indoor. However, if dogs are kept outside, they must be "protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat," according to the city's website.
The floor of the doghouse should also be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw, the city says.
Animal Care and Control also reminds pet owners to give dogs and cats plenty of food and water during winter, since keeping warm depletes a pet's energy. Make sure to use plastic containers to protect tongues from sticking and freezing to metal when giving out food and water, the city says.
Besides your own pets, watch out for stray cats and other small creatures that might want to crawl under your car's hood to stay toasty in the cold. The city suggests banging on your hood to scare away any animals before starting your engine.
Also keep an eye out for outdoor cats in the cold. You can provide food, water and a basic shelter by cutting a hole in a large plastic foam cooler filled with straw, the city says.
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