OKC Dogs Drowned In Flood Waters After Owners Left Them Tied Up

Oklahoma City leaders are issuing a warning about not leaving pets tied up outside in severe weather.

Several dogs drowned in flood waters from last week's storms because they could not get to higher ground.

Animal Welfare officers said this totally could have been avoided with just a little bit of planning, but now at least seven animals on the south side of the city are dead.

“It's very, very sad, but it's also something that is extremely preventable,” said Julie Bank with Oklahoma City's Animal Welfare Division.

At least seven dogs drowned in floodwaters. They were tethered by chains or ropes outside their homes and could not get away.

“We've been called out on a couple of calls where pet owners have been absolutely distraught because their animals drowned in this most recent storm,” Bank explained.

At least one of the pet owners said they always leave the dog tied up. Others said they evacuated without taking their pet.

“You never know what's going to happen,” Bank told News 9. “You can't think about things by, ‘In the past, it didn't happen,' with storms. It can be different every day.”

Bank said you can prevent this awful outcome by simply considering your animal in your storm plan. Have a place indoors for them, even in the garage, so at least they are out of the elements.

“Leaving them outside, tied up, is not the answer,” Bank said.

Bank said the pet owners did not do anything illegal, but common sense should tell you not to tie up your animals during storms.

The Red Cross has one shelter set up specifically for owners and their pets during severe weather. Veterinarians work out of a mobile unit at the designated shelter in the 5500 block of South Western Ave.