Keeping your pets safe in chilly weather

The Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia has dozens of calls from citizens about pets being left outside.

Homeowners could be penalized if they fail to protect their pet.

The city has issued a code blue which means the temperatures are expected to be below freezing for a stretch of days.

Under code blue, city ordinance says pets have to be brought indoors or if left outside they must have adequate shelter and warm bedding.

Our cameras went along with a field officer who received a call about a dog not having proper shelter.

There was a dog house but it did not have the proper flaps on the entrance to shield out the cold and wind.

"If someone is in violation of the code we will issue citations immediately. Animal Control does not have the authority to remove dogs from those situations, but we will cite the owner immediately," Tara Schernecke of Animal Control said.

Animal Care and Control was called out to a particular home last night and again this morning.

The homeowner was cited for being in violation.

Animal Care says it has not made contact with that owner but will keep trying.

The goal they say is to educate pet owners about the dangers of cold weather.

If you see an animal outside in this brutal cold, you can take action.

Contact the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia at 267-385-3800.

Again, owners in violation will face a fine.