NFL Star Tyrann Mathieu Puts Himself on Ice to Help Cold Dogs
The first time NFL star Tyrann Mathieu collaborated with PETA to help dogs, the video racked up over 70 million views and showed fans how dogs can suffer when left in cars on hot days.
Now, Mathieu is speaking out once again to help dogs suffering from a different extreme: freezing temperatures. In his latest video for PETA, Mathieu tests just how long he can stand being shut in a freezer to show what dogs endure when they’re kept outside 24/7 in the freezing cold.
“All my body wants to do is huddle right now,” the NFL safety says in the video. “I can get out of this freezer. Most dogs are chained up outside, and they’re not able to get warm. This is colder than winter practice.”
During frigid winter months, “outdoor dogs” struggle to keep warm and have no choice but to curl up into a tight ball and shiver—or hop from foot to foot in an effort to escape the cold ground. Many of the dogs living outside are often chained, penned, or otherwise neglected and can be deprived of proper food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. Social animals by nature, they also lack the companionship and socialization they often crave.
Here’s how PETA’s fieldworkers help freezing dogs survive harsh winters:
In the last winter season, PETA tracked 30 reported cases of dogs and other animal companions dying from causes related to cold weather. The previous year, at least 50 animals lost their lives to freezing temperatures. These are just cases that were reported in the news and no doubt only a fraction of the number of animals who actually perish outdoors in winter months.
How You Can Help Cold Dogs
- If you know of any dogs living outside all day and night, try to persuade their guardians to allow them to live indoors.
- Encourage your city or county legislators to ban chaining. We can help!
- Consider sponsoring a PETA doghouse so that one more dog will have a refuge from the cold.
- And make sure that your own animal companion stays warm with these helpful tips.
