Shreveport Pet Owners: Felony Charges for Leaving Animals in the Cold

The recent cold snap served as a serious warning. While Shreveport barely tiptoed around freezing temperatures, it was enough to spark worry about pets left outside without proper protection.

Unfortunately, the real brutal cold is still ahead of us in January and February. When those colder temps hit, the Louisiana SPCA gets flooded with calls, and who wouldn't be furious seeing animals suffering in the cold?

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to wait for single-digit weather to report animal cruelty. The Louisiana SPCA makes it clear: It is illegal to leave pets outside when the National Weather Service issues a freeze advisory. This isn't just a guideline; it's a specific legal threshold.

In a situation where the weather is dipping close to freezing, Animal Control Officers will have to treat all calls regarding unsheltered or chained animals as emergency calls. Your pets simply cannot handle these extreme temperatures.

Owners who fail to bring their pets inside during a freeze advisory can face serious legal consequences. If an animal is found outside without proper shelter and is deemed to be suffering, it can be seized immediately.

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