After the unusually cold weather we have had so far in West Virginia, we feel it necessary to offer more defined protection for companion animals housed outside.
Winter’s sub-zero weather and severe wind chill is difficult and often lethal for animals with poor shelter. With wet bedding and no protection from the wind, suffering occurs, resulting in animals found frozen to death. We wonder about all that are not reported? It is only through the goodness of neighbors that these animals in peril are even reported.
We understand that local law enforcement and Animal Control officers express concern with the limited definition of shelter presently in the law. Shelter must be weather-proof, comfortably sized and clean and dry. That is the only way to abide by 61-8-19 which states shelter must protect from the elements of the weather.
County Sheriffs’ Departments in both Summers and Boone County stepped up to intervene on behalf of animals by posting recent statements on their Facebook pages about adequate shelter. This would be a positive step in your county announcing to your constituents that this abuse of the law will not be tolerated.
We urge you to simply apply common sense in recognizing adequate shelter. Shelter must offer adequate protection from heat, extreme cold, wind and precipitation in order to be life sustaining to the animal.
Thank you for all you do to keep us safe. Our group, FOHO WV is a WV animal welfare group that has served our state since 1994.
Please see our attached pdf with a more in-depth view on standards of care for companion animals. Also our opinion on chaining and tethering dogs. Please share these position papers with others!
FOHO WV Companion Animals Standards outside shelter rev Position Paper
Chaining Tethering 2023 rd Position Paper
Above was sent in email to all 55 county sheriffs’ departments on 12/27/22 along with the companion animals’ paper. However, we did not send the chaining and tethering so please share it with your local law enforcement.
What more can you do in your county if a companion animal is in jeopardy?
Call local sheriff to report with a reminder of the law. 61-8-19 Quote the law but be polite. Give the local sheriff the benefit of the doubt. Animal welfare may be top on our list but not theirs.
7-10-1 – Every county has a humane officer by law / law enforcement must investigate all complaints
Get local Animal Control involved i.e. offer straw if there is an enclosure to give immediate relief from cold.
19-20-5. & 19-20-6 check for registration tags / can seize dogs without them
19-20A-2. Vaccination of dogs and cats.
19-20-9 failure to register a kennel if there are a lot of dogs
Get photos if possible. Do not trespass for any reason. Post on social media.
Contact the local media.
I know you want FOHO to do something. We are all volunteers too and our group has no legal authority. We are willing to offer advice, send emails, get you a law book but the pressure MUST come locally.