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22 Companion Animals Endured Cold Weather-Related Deaths in 2021—That We Know Of

The number of dogs and other companion animals who have reportedly died from causes related to cold weather in 2021:

22

Every year, PETA receives reports about dogs, cats, and other animals who have died after being left outdoors in cold weather. In 2021 alone, 22 companion animals died because of cold weather—and those are just the deaths that were reported. Most aren’t.

YearDeathsRescuesIncidents
202430542See the list.
202313644See the list.
202235364See the list.
202122475See the list.
2020677See the list.
201937322See the list.
20184334See the list.
How to Keep Your Animal Companion Safe in Cold Weather

The following list is a compilation of cold weather–related deaths of companion animals reported by the media in 2021:

DateLocationNotesNumber of Dogs and Other Animals Who Died
2/22/2021Fairview Township, PennsylvaniaA man and two dogs died after they all fell through a frozen pond in Fairview Township, PA. The man had attempted to use a kayak to rescue the dogs, but he fell in as well.2
2/16/2021Wichita, KansasA dog froze to death after being tethered outside in freezing temperatures.1
2/15/2021Houston, TexasOne dog died and five others had to be rescued after being left outside an auto body shop in subzero temperatures.1
2/15/2021Davis City, IowaOne dog died after being left outside during freezing temperatures. The owner was not charged nor was his other dog taken away.1
2/14/2021Grapeland, TexasFour horses and four dogs were rescued from a property after being left outside in subzero temperatures. Officials found one dog dead.1
2/13/2021Noble, OklahomaAfter seeing a Facebook post from a concerned resident, a good Samaritan checked on a dog reportedly chained outside in freezing temperatures. When she arrived, she found multiple chained dogs, three puppies, and only a hole for shelter.6
2/13/2021Frankfort, KentuckyNine puppies were abandoned outside an animal shelter after hours in freezing temperatures. Five of them died.5
2/8/2021Burns Lake, British Columbia, CanadaA dog was found half frozen outside in subzero temperatures. A good Samaritan attempted to save him, but the dog died shortly afterward.1
2/8/2021Detroit, MichiganA senior dog was found dead in his yard after being left outside in freezing temperatures.2
2/7/2021St. Louis, MissouriA dog and her puppy froze to death after being abandoned in their doghouse on the side of a road. They were among the more than 30 dogs and cats found outside in the cold in just three days and taken to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.1
1/12/2021Oklahoma City, OklahomaAnimal control found a dog frozen to death. She was with her seven puppies, who were rescued and survived.1

The following list is a compilation of cold weather–related rescues of companion animals reported by the media in 2021:

DateLocationNotesNumber of Dogs and Other Animals Who Were Rescued
12/30/2021Clearwater, British Columbia, CanadaNine dogs were seized from a property after being tied up outside in freezing temperatures.9
12/30/2021South Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaFirefighters rescued a dog who had fallen into cold water inside an abandoned building.1
12/29/2021Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CanadaA dog was reunited with his guardian after going missing and spending four days in extreme cold.1
12/27/2022Nelson, British Columbia, CanadaTwo dogs were rescued from an avalanche at a ski resort.2
12/27/2021Pierce County, WashingtonNineteen dogs were rescued after being neglected during a winter storm.19
12/27/2021Great Falls, MontanaFirefighters rescued two dogs from an icy river.2
12/27/2021Liberty, WisconsinTwo dogs made it back to shore after falling through ice on a lake.2
12/26/2021Santa Clarita, CaliforniaThirty-one dogs were rescued after being tied up under a railway bridge in freezing temperatures.31
12/26/2021Moultonborough, New HampshireThree people rescued a dog from an icy lake.1
12/26/2021Grand County, ColoradoA dog was rescued by skiers after being buried in an avalanche.1
Week of 12/26/2021Lawton, OklahomaHumane Society of Lawton–Comanche County officials rescued a malnourished dog found outside in the cold.1
12/24/2021Papillion, NebraskaAfter falling through ice on a lake, a dog was rescued by his or her guardian.1
12/21/2021Denver, ColoradoFirefighters rescued two dogs from an icy pond.2
12/20/2021Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy river.1
12/17/2021El Paso, TexasA woman was arrested after allegedly leaving an elderly dog out in the cold.1
12/17/2021Regina, Saskatchewan, CanadaSeven puppies were rescued after being found at a garbage dump in cold weather.7
12/16/2021Lake Tahoe, CaliforniaA dog was rescued by volunteers after being found stuck in 5 feet of snow.1
12/13/2021Calgary, Alberta, CanadaA pregnant dog was rescued after being found tied to a wooden pole in the snow.1
12/13/2021Fort Collins, ColoradoFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy lake.1
12/11/2021Denver, ColoradoFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy lake.1
12/10/2021Waterdown, Ontario, CanadaFirefighters rescued a dog and a man from an icy pond.1
12/8/2021Carroll, New YorkFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy pond.1
12/6/2021St. Paul, MinnesotaAn emaciated dog was rescued after being caged outside in freezing temperatures1
12/2/2021Airdrie, Alberta, CanadaFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy canal.1
12/2021Bridgewater, VirginiaA missing dog was rescued from an icy river after spending a week out in the cold.1
11/30/2021Belfair, WashingtonFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy river.1
11/29/2021Saskatoon, SaskatchewanFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy river.1
4/11/2021Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaRescuers saved a dog who had fallen through the ice on a partially frozen river.1
4/6/2021Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaRescuers saved a dog who had fallen through the ice on a partially frozen river.1
3/26/2021Lebanon, New HampshireFirefighters rescued a dog who was trapped on a partially frozen lake.1
3/24/2021Cairo, New YorkPolice officers rescued two dogs who had fallen through ice on a reservoir.2
3/21/2021Bigfork, MontanaFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy lake.1
3/18/2021Edwards, ColoradoFirefighters rescued a dog who had fallen through ice on a partially frozen lake.1
3/7/2021Bolingbrook, IllinoisTwo dogs had to be rescued by firefighters after falling into an icy pond.2
3/6/2021Idaho Falls, IdahoThree dogs were rescued by firefighters after falling into the Snake River.3
3/5/2021Long Beach, New YorkPolice officers rescued a dog who was locked inside a freezing van on a 29-degree night.1
3/5/2021Monee, IllinoisFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy reservoir.1
3/5/2021Wheaton, Illinois A dog had to be rescued from an icy pond.1
3/4/2021Manteno, IllinoisA dog was rescued by two police officers after falling into an icy lake.1
3/4/2021Hanson, MassachusettsFirefighters rescued a dog who had fallen into an icy pond.1
3/4/2021Oronoco, MinnesotaA dog had to be rescued after falling into an icy lake.1
3/3/2021Hanson, MassachusettsA dog and his guardian had to be rescued after falling into an icy pond.1
3/2/2021Jefferson, WisconsinFirefighters rescued a 12-year-old girl and her dog after they fell into a partially frozen pond while on a walk.1
2/28/2021Sylvania, OhioA dog had to be rescued by firefighters after falling into an icy pond.1
2/27/2021Hoopeston, IllinoisFirefighters and local residents rescued a dog from an icy lake.1
2/27/2021Vigo County, IndianaFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy pond.1
2/26/2021Long Beach, New YorkA dog was rescued after being left inside a van during below-freezing temperatures.1
2/26/2021Columbus, IndianaFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy lake.1
2/25/2021Aurora, IndianaFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy lake.1
2/24/2021Pike Creek, DelawareFirefighters rescued a dog trapped on a partially frozen pond.1
2/24/2021Lee’s Summit, MissouriFirefighters rescued a dog who had fallen through the ice on Raintree Lake.1
2/24/2021Wilmington, DelawarePolice and firefighters rescued a dog who was stranded on a frozen pond.1
2/24/2021Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaAfter a 2-year-old cat was found frozen on a porch, her leg and tail had to be amputated.1
2/23/2021Glen Carbon, IllinoisA 17-year-old boy’s neighbor rescued the boy’s dog after the animal fell into a partially frozen lake.1
2/23/2021Edmonton, AlbertaFirefighters rescued a dog from a partially frozen pond.1
2/23/2021Parker, ColoradoFirefighters rescued a dog from an icy lake at Salisbury Equestrian Park.1
2/23/2021Tonawanda, New YorkA dog and his two guardians had to be rescued after falling into a frozen creek.1
2/23/2021San Antonio, TexasAnimal Services rescued about 200 animals during the week of winter weather.200
2/22/2021Mapaville, MissouriTwo fire departments worked together to rescue a dog who had fallen into a thawing icy pond.1
2/22/2021Marshall, ArkansasA dog had to be rescued by police, other first responders, and neighbors after falling into a partially frozen pond.1
2/22/2021Madison, WisconsinFirefighters rescued a woman and her dog after they fell through the ice on Lake Monona.1
2/22/2021Olive Branch, Mississippi A dog and the dogs guardian has to be rescued after falling into a frozen pond.1
2/22/2021Clinton, British Columbia, CanadaA dog was rescued after being lost for 17 days outside during one of the seasons worst cold snaps.1
2/22/2021Shelby County, TennesseeFirefighters rescued a Great Dane who had fallen through the ice on a pond. The animal’s guardians told firefighters that they had let three of their dogs out and one of them quickly returned and alerted them that something was wrong.1
2/22/2021Hot Springs, ArkansasA dog and his guardian had to be rescued after falling into an icy pond.1
2/21/2021Robeson County, North CarolinaA dog had to be rescued after being left chained outside in standing, freezing-cold floodwater.1
2/20/2021Montgomery, AlabamaMontgomery Humane Society officers removed about 40 animals who had been left outside on chains or without shelter during cold weather in the few weeks prior.40
2/20/2021Woodhaven, MichiganA dog was stuck on the frozen Detroit River for four days and was rescued by a good Samaritan.1
2/19/2021Murfreesboro, Tennessee A dog had to be rescued after falling into a frozen pool.1
2/19/2021Houston, TexasAn elderly Labrador was rescued after being left outside in freezing temperatures.1
2/18/2021Franklin County, OhioA dog suffering from a BB shot to the head was abandoned inside a cage in a snowy parking lot.1
2/18/2021Houston, TexasA dog was rescued after being left outside in freezing temperatures.1
2/18/2021Harvey County, KansasA cat was rescued after being abandoned in the cold.1
2/18/2021San Antonio, TexasA woman found a dog wandering around outside during frigid temperatures and used tortillas to lure him into her car.1
2/18/2021Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, CanadaA dog was rescued after being found outside in freezing temperatures. He was suffering from frostbite on his ears and tail.1
2/17/2021Franklin, TennesseeA man jumped into a partially frozen pond to save his dog, who had fallen in.1
2/17/2021Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaA dog had to be rescued by police officers after being left on a balcony while it was snowing.1
2/16/2021Toronto, OntarioA dog had to be rescued from an icy pond.1
2/16/2021Harris County, TexasEight dogs and a pig were rescued from a property after being left outside in freezing temperatures.9
2/15/2021Southlake, TexasA dog playing in the snow in his backyard wandered onto a partially frozen pool and fell in. His guardian rescued him.1
2/15/2021Youngstown, OhioOne puppy had to be rescued after being abandoned in a crate in the freezing rain. The crate had the word “Free” written on the side of it.1
2/15/2021Bellmead, TexasTwo puppies had to be rescued after being left in a dumpster during single-digit temperatures.2
2/15/2021Houston, TexasEight dogs had to be rescued after being left outside in freezing temperatures. They were all malnourished, and one had a broken jaw.8
2/15/2021Houston, TexasOne dog died and five others had to be rescued after being left outside an auto body shop in subzero temperatures.1
2/15/2021Princeton, MinnesotaA cat had to be rescued after being found outside in freezing temperatures and suffering from frostbite.1
2/14/2021Albuquerque, New MexicoA dog was rescued after getting stuck between two boulders during a hike. It was freezing outside, so firefighters had to work quickly to free him.1
2/14/2021Oxford, MississippiA puppy had to be rescued from a frozen lake after falling through the ice while fetching a stick.1
2/14/2021Hot Springs, ArkansasA man and his dog had to be rescued by police after falling into a frozen pond.1
2/14/2021Southlake, TexasA dog had to be rescued by his guardian and a police officer after falling into an icy pond.1
2/14/2021Cedar Springs, MichiganA woman found a cat nearly frozen to one of the tires on her car. The animal is recovering.1
2/14/2021Grapeland, TexasFour horses and four dogs were rescued from a property after being left outside in subzero temperatures. Officials found one dog dead.8
2/13/2021Frankfort, KentuckyNine puppies were abandoned outside an animal shelter after hours in freezing temperatures. Five of them died.4
2/12/2021Houston TexasHarris County deputies rescued a dog found in distress after being left outside in a crate during cold, rainy weather. The dog was released to a family member, and the owner was charged with cruelty to animals.1
2/8/2021Wichita, KansasFirefighters rescued a dog trapped on a partially frozen pond.1
2/8/2021Omaha, NebraskaA cat was rescued after getting stuck in a chain-link fence in the snow.1
2/8/2021Topeka, KansasThree fire departments worked together to rescue a dog who had fallen into an icy river.1
2/8/2021St. Louis, MissouriA dog and her puppy froze to death after being abandoned in their doghouse on the side of a road. They were among the more than 30 dogs and cats found outside in the cold in just three days and taken to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.28
2/7/2021Escondido, CaliforniaA dog had to be rescued after being tied to a pole and abandoned in a park.1
1/28/2021Omaha, NebraskaRescue crews had to save a dog and the dog’s two guardians after they fell into an icy pond.1
1/27/2021Mansfield, OhioA 4-month-old puppy was abandoned outside the Richland County Animal Shelter after hours and wasn’t discovered until the following day. The temperature dropped to 18 degrees that night.1
1/24/2021Sydney, Nova Scotia, CanadaA couple rescued a cat who was living outside in the cold and suffering from frostbite.1
1/24/2021Branford, ConnecticutA dog was found outside in the early morning after being abandoned in freezing temperatures. He was suffering from frostbite on his paws as well as other medical conditions because of neglect.1
1/20/2021New York, New YorkA dog was rescued by police officers after falling into the icy Jamaica Bay.1
1/17/2021Cairo, New YorkA dog found in a shed, trying to keep warm after being abandoned, had been suffering from malnutrition and dehydration for many months and was 20 pounds underweight.1
1/13/2021Catawissa, PennsylvaniaA 12-year-old poodle mix was found abandoned outside a Dollar General store. He was treated for hypothermia, and an investigation is underway to find out who abandoned him.1
1/12/2021Oklahoma City, OklahomaSeven puppies were rescued after being left outside in the cold. Their mother didn’t survive.7
1/8/2021Lackawanna County, PennsylvaniaA dog was tied to a pole and abandoned outside an animal shelter during 24-degree weather. He was discovered and rescued.1
1/7/2021San Antonio, TexasA puppy was abandoned in a cardboard box outside an animal shelter, in the freezing cold. He survived and will be adopted out once old enough.1
1/3/2021Burlington, VermontA 10-year-old Great Dane was found abandoned on the side of the road in freezing temperatures.1
1/3/2021Québec, CanadaA woman took in a cat who was suffering from frostbite, worms, and rotten teeth after being abandoned outdoors in the cold.1

No animal should endure a cold weather–related death. It’s inexcusable.

As guardians, we must take these vital steps in order to protect our beloved animal family members:

1. Keep animals indoors.

Puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans, are particularly susceptible to the elements, but all animal companions should be kept warm and cozy indoors. Short-haired animals will also benefit from wearing warm sweaters or coats during brief trips outdoors.

2. Don’t allow your cat or dog to roam outdoors without supervision.

Being outside unattended is always dangerous for our animal companions, but cold weather poses even more risks. Cats can climb under the hoods of cars in order to get near warm engines and then be badly injured or killed when the vehicle is started.

3. Keep an eye out for strays.

If you see companion animals roaming the streets, bring them indoors until you can find their guardians, or take them to an animal shelter.

4. Clean dogs after they come in from the snow.

Salt and chemicals used to counter snow can make animals sick if they ingest them. Always clean off your dogs’ legs, paws, and stomach after they’ve been out in the snow. If you use antifreeze, buy a nontoxic brand like Sierra or Prestone LowTox.

5. If you see dogs left outdoors in extreme weather without proper shelter, alert the authorities.

Winter weather spells extra hardship for “backyard dogs,” who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements, note their location and alert local authorities immediately.

6. Help all animals survive cold snaps.

During extreme winter conditions, you can provide birds and other wildlife with access to water by filling a heavy nonmetal water bowl (tongues can freeze to metal) and breaking the surface ice twice a day.

When the weather improves, be sure to remove any food offerings in order to prevent the animals’ dependence on artificial feedings.

*****

Together, we can help drastically reduce the number of dogs and other animal companions who die in cold weather and even eliminate these tragedies altogether.

Animals are counting on us—as their guardians and as good Samaritans—to keep them safe. We can’t let them down.

Take Action Now

You can become an “Angel for Animals” by sponsoring a PETA doghouse. We provide lonely “outside dogs” with sturdy doghouses to shelter them in the rain and in the snow and freezing temperatures of winter. Click below to help:

Help a Cold, Neglected Dog Survive the Winter

Make sure that all your friends and family members know the potentially lifesaving cold-weather tips above:

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Watch this video, listen to this radio clip, and check out this ad to learn more about the reasons why you should never leave a dog outside during cold weather.

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“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?”

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