Hurricane Irene has come and gone, leaving 21 dead between Florida and Connecticut,and millions without power. Some areas were flooded; others wererelatively unscathed. Happily, most evacueesbrought their dogs with them.
Here in New York City, intrepid Dogsters (like the one in this photo, walking along the East River)ventured out for the morningouting and got drenched in solidarity with their pups. Some wore rain boots; others braved it in flip-flops.
Surveying the damage, the ASPCA offersa timely reminder to residents of cities located in the hurricane’s path:
“In the wake of Hurricane Irene, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is urging all area pet owners to use caution before allowing pets to go outside.”
While the current weather conditions may appear safe, “the severe wind and rain that impacted the Tri-state area over the last 24 hours have led to downed power lines, fallen trees, broken glass, and displaced sewer grates and manhole coversdangers that can cause serious injury or even death to both people and animals.”
The ASPCA statement also includes these important precautions:
“Be on the lookout for dangers prior to letting your pet outside and be sure that your dog is on a leash, even when outside on your property. For cats that typically go outside, its recommended that they remain indoors until the safety of your surrounding area is confirmed.”
If you come across any of these or other hazardous conditions, report it immediately to your power company or local law enforcement department.In New York City, calls regarding downed power lines should be reported to Con Ed.All other incidents should be reported to 311.
East Coast Dogsters, how did you cope during Hurricane Irene? Please share your experiences – and your advice fordealing with extreme weather- in the comments.
