Minnesota winters and a large working dog
Cold, not heat, is Minnesota's big dog-safety issue, and state law speaks to it directly.
Shelter is a legal minimum
Minnesota Statutes 343.40 says a person in charge of a dog kept outdoors or in an unheated enclosure must provide shelter and bedding as a minimum. Under Minnesota Statutes 343.29, a peace officer or animal control authority may remove, shelter and care for an animal that is not properly sheltered from cold, hot or inclement weather.
The Fox 9 report quotes the Minnesota Sheriffs Association reminding owners that state law requires pets of all species to have shelter suited to the weather.
A winter routine
- Keep a working dog inside during hard cold.
- Check paws for ice and salt after walks.
- Keep water from freezing.
- Feed more when the dog works outdoors.
- Know your nearest emergency veterinarian.
Ask how the dog copes
A provider should tell you how the dog handles cold and what rest it needs. A claim that it ignores the weather is a warning.
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