Protect your pets from the cold, HCPD says

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     Freezing temperatures have prompted a reminder to protect pets from the Horry County Police Department.

     County allow amended nearly a year ago, in February 2019, addressed the “Care and Treatment” of animals in extreme temperatures, an HCPD news release said.

     That law provides that “an animal may not be ‘tethered outside during extreme weather, including, but not limited to, temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, snow, hail, tornadoes, thunderstorms, tropical storms, or hurricanes.’”

     Animal owners are required to take “appropriate measures” to protect their pets.

     “Measures to protect from extreme temperatures would include either bringing the animal inside the family home, or providing another ‘proper shelter,’ which is defined as a dog-house or house-like structure,” the HCPD says. “If utilizing a dog house, the animal must be provided with a means to retain heat, such as blankets.”

     Violation of the law by exposing animals to “extreme temperatures” can result in a 30-day jail sentence of a $500 fine.

     Horry County Police Department’s Environmental Team, which operates out of the Horry County Animal Care Center and specializes in animal cases, remains on-shift and on-call to respond to animal emergencies.

     To report a non-emergency, call 843-248-1520.

     For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.