DETROIT – It’s hard to imagine how anyone could leave a dog outside for an extended period of time in this extreme, bitter cold, but as investigative reporter Karen Drew discovered, some people do. The outcome can be tragic.
Related: Detroit has dog chaining laws. But nobody seems to be enforcing them
This story starts on a warm day in September. While working on a story about dog owners not taking care of their pets, Karen went for a ride-along with a group that calls themselves “The Karens.” The K-9 Animal Rescue Emergency Networking System (The Karens) is a Metro Detroit dog nonprofit. The group provides dog houses, food, hay and other supplies for dogs in need -- especially dogs held on chains in Detroit.
On this September ride-along with The Karens, WDIV reporter Karen Drew met “Choppa,” an exuberant, happy Weimaraner -- one of several dogs living 24/7 at the end of a chain at a house on Jane Street on Detroit’s east side. The Karens had been coming to Choppa’s house for months with free assistance, but during this visit, the Karens noted the dire condition of the underweight dogs with no access to food or water. They gave the owners an abundance of dog supplies and told the owners they needed to do much more for their dogs.
Fast forward to a few days ago. The Karens went to check on the Jane Street dogs. They sent Karen Drew a picture of what they discovered: Choppa, his bones protruding, frozen to death. He’d been left outside in the extreme cold with nothing more than a flimsy dog jacket to protect his skinny body.
“This is not acceptable, not enough. We were lucky we only had one dead dog this weekend. It’s unacceptable and it needs to change. Someone needs to be held accountable for the lack of care. (we need) harsher punishments,” Chantal Rzewnicki of The Karens told WDIV’s Karen Drew.
The Karens fear that more dogs will be left outside to freeze to death in Detroit.
Over the past several days the Karens managed to get about 50 dogs inside -- dogs left outside by their owners. Indoor kennels were provided for these owners -- along with demands that they keep their dogs inside during this extreme weather.
Michigan law says it’s illegal to allow an animal to suffer neglect, torture or pain. WDIV asked the city of Detroit what it is doing about dogs left outside in the extreme cold. In an email, the city said an increased number of calls have been coming into Animal Control over the past several days, saying “We are prioritizing these calls by sending our team out for wellness checks. If the property is vacant we will remove the animal(s); if the owner is available we will engage the owner to take the animal inside.”
The Karens say they will report Choppa’s death to law enforcement after an investigation into the dog’s cause of death is complete.
Detriot residents can call the city’s hotline, 313-922-DOGS, to report dogs left outside in the cold.
“The City of Detroit, the General Services Department, and the Detroit Animal Care & Control Division are committed to our citizens’ and furry friends’ safety and well-being. During these days of inclement weather, our call volume reporting animals being left in the elements has increased. We are prioritizing these calls by sending our team out for wellness checks. If the property is vacant, we will remove the animal(s); if the owner is available, we will engage the owner to take the animal inside. While we work to answer these calls, it’s crucial that we follow the law and operate within legal boundaries when conducting rescues and wellness checks. We have sent out a press release to our media partners. We are following up with our community by issuing a PSA via social media and our website to inform pet owners of their responsibility to keep the animals safe and bring them indoors during adverse weather.”
Crystal Perkins, Director of the General Services Department, City of Detroit
More information on The Karens can be found on its official website or on its official Facebook page.