Dog left in bitter cold, owner charged with neglect
POTTSVILLE — A 7-year-old dog is happily warm and safe with the Hillside SPCA after being left out in the cold in Coaldale recently.
State police at Frackville have filed animal neglect charges against the owner, Mikisha Acevedo, 36, of Coaldale.
Sassy, a Labrador mix, was found around 11 a.m. Jan. 22 after police received a report of animal cruelty on East Ridge Street. Someone reported the dog was left without shelter or water. Upon investigation, police learned that Sassy was outside overnight, with an unheated dog house and blankets. She was not permitted inside. Also, her nails were overgrown.
Blankets are not appropriate for outdoor bedding because they can retain moisture, causing the dog to possibly freeze.
Straw is more appropriate because it is a better insulator, authorities said.
No reason was provided as to why Sassy wasn't kept indoors during frigid temperatures, and the owner agreed to surrender the dog so Hillside could care for her.
Sassy the dog stands next to Haley Weist at the Hillside SPCA in Pottsville, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. The police brought Sassy into the SPCA last week after Sassy was surrendered by her owner who had left her in the cold for an extended period of time. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)
Staff provided her plenty of blankets indoors when she came to the shelter. Otherwise, she seemed OK.
It against the law to leave a tethered dog outside for more than 30 minutes above 90 degrees or below 32 degrees. More information on Libre's Law is available at Humane-pa.org.
'I just think it is sad that people don't care about a living creature and take it inside,' Sherrie Schafer, Hillside SPCA shelter manager, said Monday.
During last week's cold snap, Schafer was surprised they didn't receive more calls for animals being left outside.
'I would like to think people are doing the right thing and keeping their pets inside when it is cold,' she said.
People have called out of concern for feral cats in the cold, said office manager Jessica Hazelton, adding she refers them to the website alleycat.org, a cat resource organization.
Sassy weighs about 31 pounds. The fur on her back might not regrow because of suspected recurring skin infections, Schafer said a vet told them.
Pending bloodwork and being spayed, the friendly dog could be up for adoption.
Sassy was unsure about people initially but has warned up to them.
'She's adjusting well to being here,' Schafer said.
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