Bring those dogs inside during extreme weather, both cold and hot. It's the law.

It’s not just common sense, it’s also Pennsylvania law.

You can’t legally keep a dog tethered outside in temperatures 32 degrees or lower for more than 30 minutes. Doing so could bring fines or jail time to owners who are caught.

The same law, which went into effect in August 2017 and is commonly known as “Libre’s Law,” also extends the same time limit to dogs tethered outside in temperatures higher than 90 degrees.

Pennsylvania is in the midst of a polar vortex that will drop wind chills near zero in the coming days. With highs below freezing through Saturday, pet owners will have to take extra precautions with their furry friends.

 “The new law certainly presents some challenges from a law enforcement perspective regarding tethering,” York County SPCA executive director Melissa Smith said. “It does not provide any new coverage for dogs in kennels or fenced-in yards. The same rules would apply for those dogs that have always been in existence.”

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That means, dogs must also have access to a clean shelter that allows them to maintain their body temperature and stay dry.

Owners who tether their dogs for longer than 30 minutes or fail to provide adequate shelter can be charged with neglect. They could face 90 days in jail and/or a fine of $300. The jail time and fine jumps to a year and/or $2,000 if the neglect puts the animal at risk for bodily injury.

And people should pay attention to the pets they see every day.

Anyone who sees a dog that has been tethered outside for more than 30 minutes should immediately report it to their local humane society police officer or local or state police. Even dogs that are considered better equipped to handle cold weather because of heavier coats – huskies, for example – should be reported.

Nicole Lawrence is the humane society police officer in York County. Situations can be reported to her at 717-764-6109, ext. 127, or nlawrence@ycspca.org.

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“It is important to keep in mind that Officer Lawrence covers all of York County, and she is on the road for the majority of her work days,” Smith said. “She routinely checks her messages and emails (especially in dangerous weather conditions) throughout the day, but the demands of her role can make it impossible for her to provide an immediate response.”

Smith says situations that require immediate attention should be reported to local county control, which can contact Lawrence or local and state law enforcement if the situation is dire.

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation says “long-haired or thick-coated dogs are more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather.”

Dogs with certain medical conditions, like diabetes, heart and kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances, can have a more difficult time regulating their body temperature, according to the AVMA website.

So what should dog owners do as the temperatures drop? Keep them inside when possible.

Smith doesn’t have to worry about dangerous temperatures affecting dogs at the SPCA. The shelter is climate-controlled and dogs are not housed outside.

“We are mindful during our dog-walking activities, and our volunteers are very mindful to the dogs’ well-being when they are exercising them on our grounds,” Smith said.

If you walk your dog, shorten the distance or bundle your dog up in a coat and/or booties. Treated pavement and anti-freeze can be dangerous if dogs lick their paw pads after walks. Owners should wipe off their paws after walks in winter conditions.

“Basic common sense and empathetic human nature should apply when dangerous weather conditions exist,” Smith said. “If a person allows their pet to suffer outside in the cold while that person is warm indoors, that person should not be granted the privilege of having a pet.”