Earlier this week, two dogs starved and left out in the freezing cold were dropped off at Human Society of St. Joseph County (Ind.).

Pictures of the animals, one a Shar-Pei and the other a poodle mix, were circulated through various social media outlets and news websites.

The Shar-Pei was found dead in Mishawaka, Ind. The poodle died shortly after being brought to the Humane Society.

Pets should be treated like members of the family. If you aren’t comfortable leaving your child outside, you shouldn’t be comfortable leaving your dog outside either.

If it isn’t possible to keep an animal inside, the Humane Society of America recommends that a pet should be protected by a dry, draft-free shelter large enough to allow the animal to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in the animal’s body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw.

The shelter should also be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with something to keep out the wind.

It’s also important to keep pets hydrated as keeping warm depletes energy.

As for the two dogs that were found dead, the Humane Society of St. Joseph County is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Please contact their office with any information at (574) 255-4726 or visit their office at 2506 Grape Rd., Mishawaka, Ind.

So as the temperature continues to drop, please keep watch over our furry friends as they can’t protect themselves.

Opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Craig Haupert, Ambrosia Neldon, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.