# It"s Fucking Zero Outside!!! Bring Your Dog In!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 24, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705 "2003-01-24T21:02:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/1 "2003-01-24T21:02:10Z")
I live in northeastern Pennsylvania, and we are currently in a cold streak. In fact, we haven’t seen 32 in two weeks. The last couple of nights have been especially cold, in the low single digits, with wind chill well into the teens BELOW zero. Unfortunately, the concept of cold is lost on some people. Unfortunately, I heard on the radio this morning that the local Humane Society confiscated a dog left outside by his owner. The dog’s eyes were bloody from apparently freezing in the frigid temperatures. Animal flesh freezes just as fast as human flesh, people. If it’s too cold for you to stand outside, it’s more than likely too cold for your pet, too. TAKE HIM INSIDE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND DECENT!!! Hopefully, this dickhead gets fined heavily, and serves jail time. And I hope he is unable to ever own a pet again. ---
**Author:** ![0887](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/977dab/32.png) [@0887](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/0887)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/2 "2003-01-24T21:15:44Z")
I say keep the dog and shoot the son of a bitch!!! I have a neighbor that does the same thing. 0887 ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/3 "2003-01-24T22:09:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 0887 \* > \*\*I say keep the dog and shoot the son of a bitch!!! > I have a neighbor that does the same thing. 0887 \*\* Call animal control or bring him in your own house\* if your neighbor won’t take him in. \*- of course that could be theft, but you have a good defense. ---
**Author:** ![Alias](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@Alias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alias)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/4 "2003-01-24T22:49:49Z")
I have neighbors who do this with tiny terriers. They leave them out in zero and subzero temperatures for extended periods of time! It makes me sick. I can’t believe the dogs aren’t frozen solid. Also, people who leave dogs in hot cars in the summer also need to be killed. ---
**Author:** ![0887](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/977dab/32.png) [@0887](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/0887)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/5 "2003-01-24T22:56:38Z")
Animals can’t protect themselves and they have to take whatever you dish out. I hate these sons of bitches. Anyone that dont take care of their animals kindly is not worth living. I would have no mercy on those people. 0887 ---
**Author:** ![flood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@flood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flood)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/6 "2003-01-25T00:05:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Alias \* > \*\* > Also, people who leave dogs in hot cars in the summer also need to be killed. \*\* I couldnt agree more. I live in a place were it always reaches the 100’s in the summer everyday. I hate seeing poor dogs left in cars even with the window down. Problem is, most of the plates that I’ve seen with the animals in the cars are Mexican plates. God I hate those people. Anyone who does anything wrong to animals (especially dogs) deserve to face the same torment they put their “pets” through. ---
**Author:** ![0887](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/977dab/32.png) [@0887](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/0887)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/7 "2003-01-25T00:26:33Z")
I agree it is 0 degrees chain them to a tree and see how long they last. Pets don’t understand why you love them one minute and the next throw them outside and ignore their plea. I hate those low lifes that are so irresponsible. 0887 ---
**Author:** ![Spacegirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Spacegirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spacegirl)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/8 "2003-01-25T01:46:00Z")
Ugh, that is horrible. I can’t imagine how an owner can treat an animal like that. I hope the dog is okay. ---
**Author:** ![dead0man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dead0man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dead0man)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/9 "2003-01-25T02:02:36Z")
Yes, shoot me because my dog won’t come in. I’m not defending the people that did this, but don’t just assume the dogs are dying out there. I have a springer spaniel that LOVES the outside even in the bitter cold. If there is snow on the ground and its above, say -3, you have to \*trick her to get her inside. She has spent the night ,under her own free will, outside in under 32 degree weather. So shoot me and tie me to a tree. \*this involves getting dressed to go outside, going outside and herding her toward the door that is being opened by someone in their undies that are MUCH more unconfortable than the dog is. ---
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/10 "2003-01-25T04:59:37Z")
**dead0man** , wow. Anyone would think it was too much of a bother for you to look after your own dog. Your pet. You know, the one that loves you unconditionally? Here’s news for you. Your dog gives you love and companionship. All it really asks in return is a bowl of kibbles a day, some water in a bowl and to have some shelter when it’s excessively hot or cold. Here’s more news for you, it doesn’t take much effort to teach a dog to come to you when it’s called. It involves using a lead and some treats as positive reinforcement. Yes, yes, I know - the dog likes being outside in frigid cold, whatever. One of these days you’ll come out in the morning to find a dogsicle. I’ll bet she wanted that too? Grrr. :mad: :mad: :mad: Max. ---
**Author:** ![Tommyturtle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Tommyturtle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tommyturtle)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/11 "2003-01-25T05:19:11Z")
Sure if it’s not a cold weather dog I’d say you are right about leaving them outside in subzero cold but I have a St Bernard and she CAN go into the haymow and get toastie warm in the loose hay but instead most often you see her outside laying in the snow and loving it. I’d say depends on the dog EXCEPT if you chain the dog so it cannot get to somewhere warmer if it needs to…then I’d agree with you that the owners ought to get the same treatment to see how they’d like it. ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/12 "2003-01-25T05:20:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maxxxie \* > \*\ ***dead0man** , wow. Anyone would think it was too much of a bother for you to look after your own dog. Your pet. You know, the one that loves you unconditionally? > > Here’s news for you. Your dog gives you love and companionship. All it really asks in return is a bowl of kibbles a day, some water in a bowl and to have some shelter when it’s excessively hot or cold. > > Here’s more news for you, it doesn’t take much effort to teach a dog to come to you when it’s called. It involves using a lead and some treats as positive reinforcement. > > Yes, yes, I know - the dog likes being outside in frigid cold, whatever. One of these days you’ll come out in the morning to find a dogsicle. I’ll bet she wanted that too? > > Grrr. :mad: :mad: :mad: > Max. \*\* I don’t defend anyone who leaves a dog outside when it wants to come in. But it sounds like dead0man has a dog that is comfortable outside – one that would come in if it needed to but just doesn’t want to. I’ve known dogs like that, especially northern breeds. On one message board, I talked with people in Norway who were amazed that we brought our dogs inside. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/13 "2003-01-25T06:38:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maxxxie \* > \*\ ***dead0man** , wow. Anyone would think it was too much of a bother for you to look after your own dog. Your pet. You know, the one that loves you unconditionally? > > Here’s news for you. Your dog gives you love and companionship. All it really asks in return is a bowl of kibbles a day, some water in a bowl and to have some shelter when it’s excessively hot or cold. > > Here’s more news for you, it doesn’t take much effort to teach a dog to come to you when it’s called. It involves using a lead and some treats as positive reinforcement. > > Yes, yes, I know - the dog likes being outside in frigid cold, whatever. One of these days you’ll come out in the morning to find a dogsicle. I’ll bet she wanted that too? > > Grrr. :mad: :mad: :mad: > Max. \*\* Two quotes from this [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=154865&highlight=peta) are relevant here. First from Shagnasty > [@](#): > > I built it because Samoyeds are Siberian sled dogs and cannot take hot temperatures. Last summer, we had to keep him in the house many days because he just got too hot. He has been in heaven so far this winter. It has been the snowiest in several years. Bear stays inside his doghouse when he wants to sleep and frolics around in the snow whenever he wants to play. The second from Blalron in the same thread. > [@](#): > > ## quote: > > ## leaving dogs outside was the pinnacle of abuse. > > What the fuck? How did dogs evolve if they couldn’t stand living outside? what the OP does not give is the breed of the dog. if it is a warm weather dog, then I agree with the posters who claim that the owner was an Asshat. If however the dog is from a cold weather breed, I think that people are being a little hasty. Sled dogs live where the weather gets lots colder than the temps mentioned in the OP. They thrive there. ---
**Author:** ![Emperor\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@Emperor\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emperor_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/14 "2003-01-25T07:39:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maxxxie \* > \*\ ***dead0man** , wow. Anyone would think it was too much of a bother for you to look after your own dog. Your pet. You know, the one that loves you unconditionally? > > Here’s news for you. Your dog gives you love and companionship. All it really asks in return is a bowl of kibbles a day, some water in a bowl and to have some shelter when it’s excessively hot or cold. > > Here’s more news for you, it doesn’t take much effort to teach a dog to come to you when it’s called. It involves using a lead and some treats as positive reinforcement. > > Yes, yes, I know - the dog likes being outside in frigid cold, whatever. One of these days you’ll come out in the morning to find a dogsicle. I’ll bet she wanted that too? > > Grrr. :mad: :mad: :mad: > Max. \*\* **Maxxxie** , not to jump on you, but I do have a problem with this comment. I happen to own as Pyrenees Mastiff/St. Bernard cross. He is a big dog. He is a very hairy dog. And he is a warm dog. The snow and cold do not bother him. He does have a large dog house full of hay to sleep in, as well as a large mat inside our house. Instead, he prefers to pull the hay out of his house, and arrange it on the snow in front of his door, and then he will curl up and proceed to sleep away the night in peaceful slumber. Now, how do I know that he isn’t freezing to death? Usually in the morning when I get up, he first thing that I’ll do is get up and go to the back door to see if he wants in. Most mornings he will look at me and then just go back to sleep, getting up when he is good and ready. If it does get really cold (~ -20C - -25C) we will keep him inside, but he seems much more comfortable out. I can see where you are coming from though. I have seen many people leaving dogs outside in conditions that they have no right to be in. Chaining an animal up or otherwise restricting their movement is especially heinous. The way that I see it is that dogs are smart creatures (most of the time) and are quite capable of communication, and communicating their feelings. If a dog is in a situation that it feels uncomfortable in, or feels threatened, it will let you know, in no uncertain terms. The problem is, some owners are too stupid to recognize these signals, or wilfully ignore them. As per the bucktoothed mutant in the OP (the dog owner, not **Casey1505** ), he deserves no less than to be left outside for a short spell, just enough so that he gains some appreciation for what his pet went through. The dog then needs to be given to a loving home, and he should never be allowed to own another pet again. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/15 "2003-01-25T14:44:38Z")
The breed of dog is key. Not all dogs are vulnerable to cold weather in the same way, and I’m glad someone linked to the **Shagnasty** thread. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/16 "2003-01-25T14:58:30Z")
[Here is one of the stories I am talking about.](http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=1091274&nav=5ka4DT5E) This is not the specific story I am relating in the OP, but this is just another example of how stupid some people are. I own a chocolate lab, and he loves the snow, but I also know not to leave him outside until parts start freezing. I think having frozen (literally!!) paws or ears is a bit more uncomfortable than standing in the doorway of your warm house in your underwear trying to coax your dog inside. First of all, it was your choice to stand outside in your underwear in the cold weather. No one led you out, clipped a lead on you and left you in the elements for hours on end. You could put on some fucking clothes! Second, when it gets below freezing, when frostbite is most likely to occur, (it’s been below zero overnight here for the past 4 or 5 nights, and below 10 once the sun goes down) keep a closer eye on your pet! If you let him out and can’t stay dressed for the 5-10 minutes he’s outside, then a dog does not fit into your lifestyle, and you really should consider turning him over to a shelter so some family can adopt him and tend to him as he should be. Granted, there are breeds like the Husky, Akita, St Bernard, etc that are bred to deal with extreme temperatures, but there is a limit to their tolerance. The overall cliamate around here is not arctic, or even Scandinavian. This cold streak is record setting for us. An Eskimo Dog here would not fare as well as one from Norway, or Alaska, because the dog would have adjusted to our more moderate cliamate, and perhaps lost some of the protection and instincts of their northern cousins, who are exposed to it daily. And even then, those dogs are looked after, not chained outside and ignored for hours on end. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/17 "2003-01-25T15:10:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rick \* > \*\* > what the OP does not give is the breed of the dog. if it is a warm weather dog, then I agree with the posters who claim that the owner was an Asshat. If however the dog is from a cold weather breed, I think that people are being a little hasty. Sled dogs live where the weather gets lots colder than the temps mentioned in the OP. They thrive there. \*\* The OP didn’t mention the breed, but it did mention that the dog’s eyes were BLEEDING and injured enough to be confiscated. “Cold weather” breed or no, the dog was obviously suffering because the owners couldn’t be bothered to shelter it properly. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/18 "2003-01-26T13:05:59Z")
With respect to all the other posters who got on my case about giving **dead0man** a hard time about leaving his dog outside – he certainly did mention the breed of his dog. A springer spaniel. Not a husky. Not a St Bernard. Not a fricking siberian wolfhound fer crissake, a bloody springer spaniel! I understand that maybe this particular dog is happy in cold temperatures. My issue is to do with **dead0man’s** apparent complacency in making sure his dog is safe and well. It may be a comfortable temperature for his dog when he goes to bed at say, 11pm - but (and maybe Brisbane is the only place this happens, but surely not) temperatures at night can drop suddenly, and while his dog is (potentially) freezing outside, he’s asleep in bed, safe and warm, not hearing his dog’s cries. Of course, none of this may apply in **dead0man’s** situation. If that’s the case, well I apologise to him and will just shut the fuck up and move on. Max. ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/19 "2003-01-27T02:52:44Z")
Good on the police for taking the dog, from some A-Hole who can’t let the dog in, when it is Fucking Zero outside. Geez, the police are trying to get Homeless People in Shelters so they don’t freeze to death. ---
**Author:** ![Pucky\_Schumer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Pucky\_Schumer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucky_Schumer)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705/20 "2003-01-27T02:58:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maxxxie \* > \*\*With respect to all the other posters who got on my case about giving **dead0man** a hard time about leaving his dog outside – he certainly did mention the breed of his dog. A springer spaniel. Not a husky. Not a St Bernard. Not a fricking siberian wolfhound fer crissake, a bloody springer spaniel! > > I understand that maybe this particular dog is happy in cold temperatures. My issue is to do with **dead0man’s** apparent complacency in making sure his dog is safe and well. It may be a comfortable temperature for his dog when he goes to bed at say, 11pm - but (and maybe Brisbane is the only place this happens, but surely not) temperatures at night can drop suddenly, and while his dog is (potentially) freezing outside, he’s asleep in bed, safe and warm, not hearing his dog’s cries. > > Of course, none of this may apply in **dead0man’s** situation. If that’s the case, well I apologise to him and will just shut the fuck up and move on. > > Max. \*\* If a dog showed signs of damage, like bleeding eyes, I think the owner should face some sort of punishment if this was a case of abuse or gross negligence. But I’ve known many dogs that will dig a trench and sleep in the snow. Just so everyone knows, a dog outside in cold weather does not automatically equal abuse. But if the dog suffers because of it, it is. OTOH, it is _not_ a good idea to have a dog chained outside in the cold. Their survival strategy is to find a sheltered place out of the wind, and they might not be able to do that chained up. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-fucking-zero-outside-bring-your-dog-in/150705.md?page=2)