NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The extreme cold has a pair of Collin County women on a mission.
They want all pet owners to bring their dogs inside and say they aren’t afraid to confront those who don’t.
There is a state law that says if the temperature is below 32 degrees, a dog cannot be left tethered outside, but some animal rescue volunteers say that law isn’t being enforced and needs to be stronger.
Kathy Moreno and Heather Barnett said Monday they couldn’t sleep knowing that dogs could be spending the night in the bitter cold.
They posted photos on social media and sent Collin County authorities to a rural home outside Anna over concerns about the dog they say appeared to be living outside with only a plastic crate for shelter, but it was enough shelter that authorities had to walk away.
While some cities have stricter ordinances, the state law only requires that dogs cannot be tethered when the temperature drops below freezing.
“I think it’s sad,” said Anna resident Kathy Moreno. “I think the laws need to be changed. More people need to do what I’m doing. Come together, fight whoever you have to to bring it to light. A lot of people were scared. I get it,” she said.