ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Recent incidents involving dogs left outside in freezing temperatures have prompted investigations by the Humane Society of Greater Rochester.

News10NBC’s Adelisa Badzic spoke with Reno Di Domenico, Vice President of Humane Law Enforcement at Lollypop Farm, to learn more about the protections in place for pets. Di Domenico discussed two active investigations. One is on Orange Street in Rochester, where police received reports of at least five dogs left outside.

“One dog was seized by Rochester Police Officers and then turned over to the humane society,” Di Domenico said. The owners brought the other four dogs inside while officers waited for the humane society to respond.

Di Domenico explained that New York state law requires them to see the conditions before taking action. “The law is very vague, and it doesn’t specify anything. It’s up to the officer to determine whether the shelter is adequate or not. And usually that means we have to see some sort of suffering on the animal before we can act. Unless there’s a dog outside, it has no shelter at all, or has a lean to. You have to make sure that that shelter is inadequate.”

Di Domenico further explained the requirements: “The law basically says that dogs that are left outside, unattended must be able to access an insulated structure. So that could be a doghouse, a garage, or a doggy door going into a house. As long as they have some sort of access to an insulated structure. It may be appropriate in 30-degree weather but things change as the weather changes.”

The second investigation is on Parsells Avenue, where a dog was found dead. An animal autopsy is underway to determine the cause of death, noting that it must be proven to be because of the weather of some sort of animal negligence to be able to take further action.

Di Domenico and his team are working to enhance New York state laws to hold owners accountable, as current laws are reactionary. He hopes to amend the laws to be more proactive.

“Right now, there’s no law that prevents somebody from recklessly placing their animal at risk. We’re trying to get that law through. It’s stalled. It stalled the last three years in Albany.”

For those who witness animal abuse, Di Domenico advises contacting the humane society directly to provide firsthand information. They can be reached at 585-223-6500.

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