A night unfit for neither man nor beast

Posted: 01/06/2004 11:45 pm
Last Updated: 01/07/2004 09:32 am

Story filed by NewsCenter16 Reporter Judi Lykowski

For a second straight night the Michiana area is set for sub-zero temperatures. It is the kind of night neither man nor beast would want to spend outside.

In Elkhart, the Faith Mission is making sure no one has to. While area humane societies are looking out for pets.

If someone is outside for long periods of time and is not dressed properly they could suffer frost burn or worse, they could even freeze to death.

Area shelters are ready to help
Area shelters want people to know they have room for more and they are ready. When the temperature drops to the single digits like it has been the Faith Mission of Elkhart fills up fast.

"We have 106 bed capacity, and on a cold weather amnesty what we do is just put mats down on the floor," said Ross Swihart, Business Director of Faith Mission of Elkhart.

This year Swihart says that the homeless haven't had to use the mats because the mission happens to have some extra beds.

Unlike both the Hope Rescue Mission and the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, which rely on mats, the needy that walk through the doors of Faith Mission can sleep in a warm bed during weather amnesty.

Animal neglect could come with a $1000 fine
Another concern when cold weather hits is the animals. The number of animals that the St. Joseph County Humane Society takes in always goes up when the temperature goes down.

"We do every year have situations where animals die due to the conditions," said Director of Animal Control at the St. Joseph County Humane Society, Eric Dursinka.

Tuesday police issued several citations to a St. Joseph County resident who left their 3-month-old puppy out in the cold. The Humane Society says paperwork has been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.

Anyone who's caught not providing adequate food, water and shelter for their four-legged friend is eligible for these neglect citations.

"The animals don't have a choice they can't go look for somewhere to go, they are confined to a fenced in back yard or tied to a chain."

If someone is charged with animal neglect, likely a class b misdemeanor they could spend up to 180 days in jail and/or be charged a $1000 fine if found guilty.