The Animal Control Officer has declared a Code Blue for the Borough of West Reading during the overnight hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, Wednesday, December 31, Thursday, January 1, Friday, January 2, and Saturday, January 3 due to the forecast of low temperatures for Berks County.
In accordance with Borough Ordinance No. 1173, Chapter 152 Animals: Section 152-3 General Standards, Subsection E.1: the Borough’s Animal Control Officer may declare a “CODE Blue” or “CODE Red” relating to cold or hot weather, respectively, that requires the owner of an animal to temporarily bring and keep it in his dwelling for its protection from the elements when the National Weather Service (NWS) predicts a wind chill temperature of twenty degrees Fahrenheit (20° F) or below, precipitation with temperatures below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32°F), or a heat index of ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit (95°F) or above.
All animals must be accompanied outdoors and not left unattended while the Code Blue is in effect.
Additionally, non-compliance can result in an Animal Control Officer removing the animal from the property and impounding it at the Safety Net Sanctuary (SNS) facility at 187 Houck Road, Fleetwood, PA.
Owners may also be subject to a fine of no more than $600 and a citation under Section 152-15 of the Code of the Borough of West Reading.
Any person witnessing an unsupervised domestic animal left outside in the elements should call the SNS at 610-944-8099.