CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A new state law means pet owners must provide adequate shelter for tethered dogs during extreme weather conditions like those expected Sunday night.
The 'Safe Outdoor Dogs Act' allows city animal control services or law enforcement to intervene if they find an animal in inhumane or illegal conditions.
Kiki Gonzales with Beeville Animal Control said that her agency will cite pet owners who do not provide adequate conditions for their pets when temperatures drop overnight into the week.
"Any calls that we receive of dogs out in the elements below freezing weather is an automatic citation," said Gonzales.
The new law requires that tethers being used for pets be at least 10 feet long.