Pennsylvania cracks down on people leaving animals in frigid temperatures

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - With the deep freeze a lot of people are concerned about all the animals stuck outside and in Pennsylvania there's a new law cracking down on owners who leave their pets out in the freezing weather.

FOX 29 drove around with a PSPCA officer Friday.

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Casey Faden walked his dog Stella for a little while before getting her inside where she's warm, especially knowing the penalties for leaving dogs unattended in freezing conditions got a lot stiffer.

"We do our best to keep her bundled up just like I am. It's really cold out here. Try to make her do her business and get back inside," he told FOX 29.

PSPCA Officer Wayne Smith is one of the few cops enforcing Libre's Law and drives to those calls looking to rescue stranded pooches.

"Under the new law, you pretty much can be arrested without having the adequate dog house, potable water-meaning that dog has to be able to drink that water. If it's frozen a dog cannot drink that water."

Officer Smith says he just responded to a case in Strawberry Mansion and wants to make sure all dog owners know the new rules.

"When we knock on the door unless it's something really, really bad then we are in law enforcement mode but when we come we come as counselors, teachers, education. Try to help as much as we possibly can," he explained.

The law he enforces was sponsored by State Rep. Todd Stephens who says your pet should be treated just like other members of your family in this deep freeze.

"Even if no harm comes of the dog it's still neglect, which is a summery offense in Pa. So you've got to make sure your dog has adequate heat and shelter available to them, particularly in this cold weather," Stephens said.