Dogs Using Snowbanks To Flee Yards, Run Rampant In Streets

WEYMOUTH (CBS) -- Towering snowbanks are allowing dogs to escape fenced-in yards and run wild in Massachusetts streets, according to police.

Weymouth police shared a message from animal control on Wednesday, reminding dog owners to keep their pets leashed or tethered when outside.

"We have been dealing with a large number of dogs that are running the streets," police wrote on Facebook. "Most of them are getting out of yards that are usually secure because of snow banks."

And that's putting Fido in a dangerous situation.

Read: Boston Tops 100 Inches Of Snow In Record-Setting Winter

"When this happens your dog is being put at risk of getting hit by a vehicle," police wrote.

Additionally, a dog on the loose could be picked up by animal control and taken to a shelter if it doesn't have proper identification tags.

"If this happens most dogs will become stressed out being with unfamiliar people, placed in an unfamiliar vehicle and being housed in an unfamiliar place," police wrote. "Save your dog and yourself the stress, keep your eyes on them."

Retrieving a dog without tags from a shelter could cost dog owners more than $200 in boarding fees. Police are urging residents to make sure that their dog has a valid license tag so they can be returned quickly if caught.

Tom Morse, a trainer with the Weymouth Dog Shop, said it happened to him. His black lab, Porter, climbed out of the back yard on a mountain of snow, but fortunately only got as far as the front porch.

"For the most part, a lot of dogs will just stay in that shoveled-out area," Morris told WBZ NewsRadio 1030. "But if you're got a dog that's inquisitive, they're going to look for something."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports: