Local

Channel 11 follows animal shelter worker as she checks on dogs in cold

FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — Animal shelters have been getting more calls than normal about animals being left outside.

Channel 11 reporter Cara Sapida followed a Fayette County S.P.C.A. worker on Tuesday.

Tammy McGregor's job is to check on animals in the cold.

"We are probably averaging 15 calls a day," she said.

McGregor takes down the addresses and heads out to check on the dogs.

"A lot of my job is education because people just don't understand," she said.

Sapida saw several dogs outside while following McGregor.   When one owner spotted Sapida and the shelter, he brought his dogs inside.

McGregor said dogs need a shelter with insulation if they're going to be kept outside.

"They need a good adequate box with hay.  They need to be able to stand, turn around and walk out," she said.

McGregor added that water bowls have to be changed often because water freezes in cold temperatures.

McGregor said if you can't bring your dog inside when it's cold or provide necessities if you must keep them outside, you shouldn't be a dog owner.

"I had a couple people sign their dogs over because they just couldn't handle it.