As sleet and snow accumulated late Tuesday afternoon, kids on East Allie Payne Road were scraping the frozen grains off the backs of two horses. Orange Animal Control Officer Andy Borel came to the site to help.
Borel and Marc Hogden, the other animal officer, answered calls all day from people concerned about animals keeping warm during the frigid temperatures.
Borel was also out into the night investigating a dog bite and, along with a police officer, searching for a cow reported loose on MLK Drive at Interstate 10.
Hogden and Borel were also making sure the dogs in the animal shelter kept warm. Borel said the temperture is kept at 68 degrees where the cages are. Platforms keep the pooches off the concrete floor. Each dog gets a freshly washed and dried blanket every day for their platform.
Borel said the two horses on Allie Payne Road had stalls, but couldn’t get into them. Thanks to the kids, the ice had not accumulated and frozen on their backs. Horses out in the cold should have blankets on their backs, he said.
Neighbors helped him track the owner, who lived in the populated center of the city. “He was an elderly man living by himself. He had a dog who had been well-cared for,” Borel said.
The animal officer told the man the horses needed better care and he could be subject to animal cruelty charges. The horses got more hay and were able to get into the stalls.
Four other horse calls came during the day. He said people start to understand about keeping animals warm “after we had a little chat.” One thing he likes to tell people is “put on a T-shirt and get out there.” Animals need more coverage and warmth just as people do.
The animal bite call Tuesday night could also be considered weather related. The man taking care of the large dog went to add more hay. The dog was startled and bit the man.
Borel said hay in dog houses helps them stay insulated to keep their heat. A heat lamp from a place like Farmers Mercantile also helps, and even a regular light bulb can raise the temperature.
The best way, if possible, is to bring the animals inside and take them outside when they need to go. Borel has four dogs and three cats. All of them were inside during the past few frigid nights, he said.
Also, animals like to eat more during cold days. “The extra food gives them energy for heat,” he said. If your cat or dog seems hungry, go on and give them more food.
People who see an animal that may be cold or abused, can call the shelter at 883-1056 during business hours or the police station at 883-1026.
The animal officers can’t seize an animal without a judge’s order, but they can begin an animal cruelty charge. Borel said usually the owner will fix problems after getting a visit.
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