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2019 began new shelter ordinances

POLK COUNTY—With cold weather in full swing, Polk County residents are being reminded by the Polk County Animal Control that there are new laws in effect for keeping pets warm. 

The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved new language in its animal control ordinance last year that includes provisions for keeping pets in hot or cold weather. 

The new verbiage in Section 8/Animal Care now states, “a. It shall be unlawful for any owner or custodian to fail to provide their animals with adequate food, water, shelter, veterinary care, and humane euthanasia when needed to prevent suffering. Adequate shelter means provision of and access to shelter that is suitable for the species, age, condition, size, and type of each animal; provides adequate space for each animal; is safe and protects each animal from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, direct sunlight, and the adverse effects of heat or cold, physical suffering, and impairment of health; is properly cleaned; enables each animal to be clean and dry, except when detrimental to the species; and for dogs and cats, provides a solid surface, resting platform, pad, floor mat or similar devices that is large enough for the animal to lie on in a normal manner and can be maintained in a sanitary manner. Under this chapter, shelter whose wire grid, or slat floors which (i) permit the animals’ feet to pass through the openings, (ii) sag under the animal’s weight, or (iii) otherwise do not protect the animal’s feet or toes from injury are not adequate shelter. The structure must be provided with bedding such as straw, cedar shavings, blankets, or the equivalent so as to provide insulation and protection against the elements of the weather and to help retain body heat in the winter and must be kept in a cool area in the summer.”

Last week the area saw low temperatures in the 20s and this week is forecast to be low temperatures in the 30s, with this Thursday not reaching higher than 48 degrees.