Man charged with cruelty for deaths of dogs

Ivan Irwin, 48, of Hungry Horse has been cited for two counts of animal cruelty after two of his dogs froze to death during subzero temperatures Monday night.

Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday found two female pit bull or Rottweiler cross dogs frozen solid beneath a sleeping bag in a kennel at Irwin’s home.

It appeared the animals died as a result of the frigid weather, since there were no visible wounds on the bodies. The dogs did appear underweight, but not enough to endanger their lives.

On Monday night, temperatures in Hungry Horse dipped as low as minus 12 with a wind chill of 16 below zero, according to the National Weather Service.

“A dog with short hair like that [a pit bull or Rottweiler] could die of hypothermia within three hours at those temperatures,” said Kate List, a veterinarian with the Flathead County Animal Shelter. She said that freezing solid would take longer.

There was a doghouse in the kennel, but it lacked adequate insulation.

Since the charges are misdemeanors, Irwin has received a notice to appear in Justice Court by Dec. 23.

The Flathead County Animal Advisory Committee and the Flathead County Animal Shelter remind people that extreme cold weather can be hazardous for pets.

The organizations urge pet owners to take precautions:

n Keep pets inside during freezing weather.

n Keep dogs leashed when walking on snow or ice, as they could lose their scent and easily get lost.

n Wipe off a pet’s legs and stomach when it comes inside, since animals can ingest potentially dangerous chemicals such as salt and antifreeze when licking their paws, and paw pads can bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

n Never leave an animal alone in a car parked outside.

n Increase a pet’s food supply if it will be outside in the cold often.

n Make sure animals have enough fresh, unfrozen water.