Bill banning pets left outdoors in bad weather advances in Council

Fed up with pet owners leaving their dogs outside in the bitter cold and scorching heat?

That may soon be illegal in Philadelphia. A City Council committee gave preliminary approval Thursday to a bill that would prohibit the act when the city declares a “code blue,” “grey” or “red.”

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson sponsored the bill after receiving several calls this winter about dogs being left outside in his South Philly district.

“I discovered that the current city law doesn’t go far enough to protect our dogs,” he said, “and educate dog owners about the dangers of exposure to extreme weather.”

The rule wouldn’t apply to owners whose pooches have a doghouse in good repair.