A sweet pit bull named Daisy froze to death in the frigid January temperatures in Holiday Island, Arkansas, when the chain she was attached to prevented her from reaching any shelter. The local humane society is requesting that cruelty charges be filed against Daisy's owner, and in an effort to prevent more tragedies like this one, PETA has sent information on safeguarding animals during winter weather to local media outlets.

Sadly, Daisy isn't the first dog to freeze to death this winter—and she likely won't be the last. Fur coats—especially short ones like pit bulls'—don't prevent dogs and other animals from suffering from frostbite and exposure. Animals can also become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Young, old, small, and short-haired dogs like pit bulls, beagles, Dobermans, and Rottweilers are especially at risk. Please—if you see any dog left outside without shelter, call the authorities right away. Your call could spare a dog a lingering, painful, lonely death like Daisy's.

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Don't forget: January is "Unchain a Dog" Month. If you know of a chained dog in your neighborhood, you can help by providing him or her with straw bedding, fresh water, treats, and toys. If the dog is friendly and the owners are receptive, offer to take the dog for walks and "play dates."

You can also support PETA's work to provide dogs left outside in the cold with doghouses as well as PETA's work in behalf of pit bulls. And please remember how important it is to spay and neuter your animal companions and help others in your community on this life-saving issue, too.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

Julie started off the new year the way every dog should—in a warm home surrounded by a loving family. But the cutie-pie collie wasn't always so lucky. She spent the early part of her life trapped at the end of a chain, desperate for a kind word, a loving scratch behind the ears, and much-needed medical attention.

When Julie's guardians contacted PETA and asked us to help get her treatment for what turned out to be a horribly painful prolapsed vagina, we agreed on the condition that they allow Julie to live indoors. The guardians accepted our deal, but when we went back to check on Julie, there she was, chained again. We convinced the family to grant us custody of Julie and found her a home with a retired couple who fell head over heels for the sweet, affectionate dog. They live right across the street from a park where Julie loves to run and play. She is a joyful girl who sticks to her new parents like glue.

Unfortunately, millions of dogs like Julie are still languishing in backyards at the end of a chain. Many are denied proper food, water, veterinary care, and shelter and have nothing but an overturned trash bin or plastic barrel—or nothing at all—to shield them during freezing winter nights. Countless chained dogs have frozen to death during cold snaps or died of heatstroke on sweltering summer days.

In order to raise awareness of these "forgotten" dogs, PETA has declared January "Unchain a Dog" Month. You can help chained dogs by asking your city officials to propose an anti-chaining ordinance and by taking action to help a lonely, neglected dog in your neighborhood.

Written by Michelle Sherrow