Parts of northwest Iowa have 34-inches of snow on the ground with drifts that are much higher. It’s causing all sorts of challenges — including for pet owners. Pam Wiese, spokeswoman for the Humane Society in Omaha/Council Bluffs, says dog owners need to keep a closer eye on their pets when the dog is left outside.

Wiese says, “We’ve had several reports of strays that have gotten out of people’s yards and the way they’re getting out is they’re simply walking up a snowdrift and hopping the fence.” Wiese says some drifts are so high, they’re at fence lines and clever dogs have no problem getting out of the yard.

She says, “The level of the snow is so high and it’s so cold that it’s frozen and they can actually walk on it.” Wiese says Iowans who have dogs, and other pets, need to watch them if they’re being let loose in a fenced yard for a bathroom break. Weise says, “If you’re letting your dog out and you have huge drifts in your back yard and you have a fence, it’s a good idea to make sure that they’re not going to go right over the fence.”

A temporary fix until the snow melts is to use a chain to keep your animal tethered. Earlier this week, a freezing dog was found in a driveway in Omaha. The animal was revived and is being cared for by the Humane Society.