Collie freezes to sidewalk overnight, survives

[Refugee 7]

An elderly border collie mix froze to the sidewalk when it was left outside overnight in single-digit temperatures, but the "morbidly obese" dog survived due to insulation from layers of fat, according to the Sheboygan County Humane Society.

The dog, a male named Jiffy, was discovered and its owner arrested on suspicion of animal neglect Thursday morning, said Lt. Tim Eirich of the Sheboygan Police Department. The owner, is a 59-year-old woman.

The dog is being cared for at the Humane Society and is expected to survive, but it is not yet clear what long-term effects the overnight freeze may have had, said Shelter Manager Carey Payne.

"The dog is comfortable right now and is being evaluated for possible damage. We won't know for a few days what the extent is," Payne said. "He was frozen to the sidewalk, so myself and two other employees had to pour some warm water over the dog's back end to get him off the sidewalk."

Payne said the dog can barely move, but shelter workers aren't sure if that's from the incident or the dog's excessive weight. Jiffy is 11 or 12 years old, Eirich said.

The owner told police she tried to get the dog inside but was unable to, and instead checked on the dog every few hours, Eirich said. The temperature dipped to 6 degrees overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Payne said few dogs could survive a night outdoors at that temperature.

"Being insulated as well as he was with the layers of fat he had probably saved the dog's life," she said.

The woman was trying to drag the dog inside when police arrived about 9:15 a.m., Eirich said. Officers responded after a neighbor noticed the dog and called police.

The case has been referred to the Sheboygan County District Attorney's Office for possible charges. Police are asking for a charge of misdemeanor animal neglect.

[menmont63 0]

OMG that poor dog I'm glad he survived but the owner should be smacked upside her head. This is why I don't leave my animals outside. I'm afraid something like this would happen.

[KansasPettyFan 1]

I read this in the paper this week. Makes me sick. Poor doggie.

[brandonwood20 0]

Ah man. Poor pooch.

[Desert*Rose 0]

Poor little doggie...

[Patty Petty 9]

Ugh, I wish I hadn't read this. I seriously hate sad animal stories such as these. :-(

[Flower 0]

poor guy, good thing he was chubby

[Echosoftom 3]

Oh no, poor doggie. This sort of thing just pisses me off. I hope Jiffy has a full recovery. Hopefully he'll have a chance at a good home.

[WildflowerNJ 136]

Oh no....poor sweet dog....my prayers, thoughts and love going out to Jiffy now...

[pettyfreak94 1]

Awww poor dog!

So glad it survived though.