Lincoln Animal Control checking on animals during arctic blast

Scott Lowry has been cruising the streets of Lincoln and checking on the welfare of animals for over 20 years.

With dangerously cold temperatures the Animal Control field supervisor has been taking calls from people concerned about pets being left outside.

Wednesday morning Channel 8 Eyewitness News rode along with Lowry to see what Animal Control looks for when they go check on a pet.

“With temperatures being –3, –4 we want to make sure that the dogs, or cats for that matter, aren’t outside for lengthy periods of time and that they have access to shelter,” Lowry said. 

The city of Lincoln requires any dog that’s left outside to have access to a dog house. It must have a flap on the door to protect the animal from the cold and wind.

Officers also check that a pet has access to fresh water– snow and ice do not count as sources of water.

When an Animal Control officer is dispatched to a home they try to educate the owner on properly caring for their pet.

“On days like today if we can’t get a hold of the owners to bring the animal in we will end up taking the dog if we have a concern that the dog is in any kind of imminent danger of freezing to death.”

Animal Control checked on several dogs during the ride along, but no animal were taken into custody.

Each dog was seen to have sufficient shelter even if they were not using it at the time.

Lowry said they never want to take an animal, but they have to do what’s in the best interest of the pet.

“You wouldn’t want to be out in these temperatures even in a dog house and your animal isn’t going to want to be out either.”

Keeping your animals inside where it’s warm and dry is the best way to make sure Animal Control never shows up on your doorstep.

If you are worried about an animal’s welfare, never hesitate to call Animal Control at 402–441–7900.