Officers handle pest calls and perform welfare checks on those kept outside. New laws require animals to be protected in weather below 32 degrees or above 85 degrees and in inclement weather.

Bennett said officers are educating pet owners about appropriate shelters and the laws regarding their animals.

“Education has gone a long way in that,” Constable Jason Mash said. “It’s a long process, but we’re getting there.

“You educate the person the first time around and if you’re called back, you take action,” Bennett said.

Some pet owners seem to ignore the comfort of their pets, “but we’re starting to see a shift in that kind of thinking here,” Mash said.

“When people see the seriousness of the results,” Bennett said.

“Everyone has a responsibility to take care of an animal,” he said. “Most of the people here take good care of their dogs.”

The shelter receives numerous calls regarding the theft of dogs, Bennett said, and there are numerous social media posts regarding lost dogs, but officers have found no evidence of individuals or groups stealing the dogs or dogs stolen for sale. Many can stray from their homes and get lost, he said. Proper labeling and microchipping can help when looking for lost animals.