Binghamton Takes A Stand For Dog Welfare In Extreme Weather

It's a big win for dogs. At least in the City of Binghamton. The Binghamton City Council has adopted an amendment to the code to add protections for dogs during adverse outdoor weather conditions.

The code states that no person who owns or has custody of a dog in the City of Binghamton shall knowingly leave a dog outdoors longer than two hours when the air temperature is either below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or during such period of time as extreme weather conditions exist.

Violators could face jail time and/or a fine if found in violation of this amendment in the City of Binghamton.

Exceptions to the amendment include working dogs, hunting dogs, dogs on a lease or other restraint under direct supervision of a person, or dogs required to be tethered or confined under an applicable law, rule, regulation, or court order.

The amendment states that a dog that exhibits signs of frostbite will be presumed to have been left outdoors for longer than two hours when the actual temperature was lower than 32 degrees Fahrenheit, not accounting for wind chill, or in the case of signs of heatstroke, when the actual outdoor temperature is greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, not accounting for humidity levels.

The amendment will be enforced by a variety of agencies, including Binghamton Animal Control Officers, Binghamton Police, Broome County Sheriff's Department, and New York State Police, among others.

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For a more detailed explanation and exceptions, view the ordinance on the City of Binghamton website.