Families turn to animal shelter for help

Brownsville pet owners have taken note of a warning by Mayor Pat M. Ahumada Jr. that says they will be issued a citation for leaving their pets outside in extreme weather conditions.

Ahumada’s notice issued in The Brownsville Herald urged residents to call the city’s animal shelter if they needed a place to temporarily house their animals during the freezing temperatures brought on by Thursday’s arctic front.

Art Rodriguez, director of public health, said animal control officers received numerous telephone calls from pet owners asking if their dogs could be housed at the shelter until the cold weather recedes. They have also received more than 20 calls regarding alleged animal cruelty.

"There is a state law that says once the temperature outside reaches 32 degrees" and a dog is left outside under such conditions the act is considered animal cruelty, Rodriguez said on Friday.

In Beaumont, one dog was found dead and three others were found to be malnourished and suffering from exposure to cold, The Associated Press reported. Police there said the owners could face animal cruelty charges.

Meanwhile, in about a 24-hour period, Brownsville animal control officers received 25 telephone calls regarding pets that had been left outside in the extreme weather, Rodriguez said. Of those complaints, two dogs were taken to the animal shelter. One pet owner was cited while two others were issued warnings.

"Everyone else, by the time we got there, had already brought the animals in and taken the steps they needed to be in compliance," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said pet owners who can’t bring their dogs indoors may take them to the shelter where they would be housed for 24 hours. Pets will be accepted only if owners can provide proof of residency within the city of Brownsville and that the animals are current on their vaccinations. Pets on medication will not be accepted.

Pet owners are asked to take their dogs to the animal shelter on FM 511. Once the shelter becomes filled to capacity, the pets will be taken to another temporary shelter location.

Rodriguez said pets would most likely be given back to their owners on Sunday.

The city’s animal control office has received phone calls from people residing outside of Brownsville who are looking for place to house their pets, Rodriguez said. But the city’s shelter does not have the capacity. He urges them to contact their local city officials.

Residents who see dogs that are tied up or chained outside and exposed to the harsh weather conditions should call (956) 544-7351.