The average low temperature in Michigan during the month of January is 18 degrees Fahrenheit. That does not factor in wind chill or precipitation; this is ambient average temperature. For dogs kept outdoors for a significant amount of time, this is unbearable and cruel. 

Drinking water turns to blocks of ice, blankets or straw inside dog houses get wet, igloos sink into the mud, and dogs often suffer frostbite, hypothermia, and sometimes even freeze to death. 

The state of Michigan does not have laws protecting animals kept outdoors on a tether or in an enclosure during extreme weather. In 2021, a dog named Buddy froze to death when his owner left him chained outside 24 hours per day, even during Detroit's coldest nights. Buddy's body froze slowly until he couldn't move anymore and his heart stopped. If you have ever felt the pain of cold fingers or toes, imagine that pain moving slowly through your whole body until you die.

Frosty is a dog who was found near death with a heavy chain around his neck in Detroit, November 2024. He was left chained in a yard during a cold, snowy night. He was too cold to even move. Rescuers were able to convince the owner to surrender the dog and get him the veterinary care he needed to save his life. Visit the Rebel Dogs Detroit Facebook page for a video (dated November 29, 2024) showing the horrific conditions this dog was left in and the rescue that saved his life.

According to the Detroit Department of Animal Care & Control, "... the majority of dog attacks and the most serious dog attacks are the result of those dog attacks escaping from their tether or enclosure." These dogs are often neglected, sometimes abused, and rarely socialized. Permitting the tethering or outdoor confinement of animals during extreme weather is not only dangerous for the dog, but also for anyone who may try to rescue them, an unsuspecting child or adult that enters the property, or anyone who may cross paths if the dog escapes its restraint.

Several states have laws protecting dogs from extreme weather. States including Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island prohibit tethering a dog outside for more than a brief amount of time during adverse weather conditions. California law prohibits tethering of a dog for any time period longer than to complete a temporary task. Additionally, Delaware, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island have laws restricting tethering of a dog for more than 2 to 14 hours, depending on state, within a 24 hour period and/or during the overnight hours. Other states, including D.C., Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Texas and Vermont enforce laws that restrict a dog's access to necessary sustenance or endanger the animals' life or health. Violations are typically fines or imprisonment. Fines are an additional revenue source for municipalities, when enforced. Michigan has no such laws.

Certain cities in Michigan have ordinances that prohibit tethering or other confinement of dogs outside for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week; however, in some cities it is enforced (i.e., Eastpointe), whereas in others it is not (i.e., Detroit). Dogs across Michigan are left to freeze or starve to death, chained to a fence or dog house that is not suitable for Michigan's weather.

Michiganders are fed up with the neglect and cruelty associated with dogs being left outdoors in the freezing cold, often without food and fresh water. HB6015, introduced by Representative Tsernoglou on 9/26/24, seeks to modify the definition of shelter based on the dog's age and fur or hair type. We are pleading with our legislators to adopt this bill. Furthermore, we urge our legislators to restrict the number of hours a dog can be left outdoors on a tether or in an enclosure during weather extremes.

We also urge our legislators to change Michigan laws to prohibit a dog from being left outdoors overnight during extreme weather. The city of Eastpointe has adopted AND ENFORCES an ordinance that protects dogs during extreme weather. The ordinance states that "It shall be unlawful to HOUSE or LEAVE a dog of ANY BREED or SIZE outdoors when the outdoor temperature IS or is PREDICTED to drop below 43 degrees or above 82 degrees. Housing a dog inside a GARAGE or SHED is providing INADEQUATE shelter and further BANNED within the city. It shall be unlawful to HOUSE or LEAVE a dog of ANY BREED or SIZE unattended outdoors between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m."

Michiganders are urging you to support HB6015. We are also urging you to propose a bill that further protects dogs in extreme weather - limit the amount of time a dog can be left outdoors and prohibit any dog from being tethered or enclosed outdoors during overnight hours.

I am not affiliated with a rescue. Any donations you make go to Change.org towards marketing for this petition. 

Photo Courtesy of Eastpointe Police Animal Control Division.