UPDATE (1/7/2015): If you’re on Twitter, you can report an unshoveled sidewalk to @Philly311:
@WestPhillyLocal @unshoveled I contacted @philly311 last year to report unshoveled sts. They got in touch w owners and snow got shoveled.
— Joselle (@JosellePalacios) January 7, 2015
@JosellePalacios @WestPhillyLocal @unshoveled Good morning! We are accepting shoveling reports!
— Philly311 (@philly311) January 7, 2015
(1/6/2015): 
Winter has finally arrived and reminded us all why we don’t like it that much. We wanted to pass along reminders about what to watch out for when temperatures drop below freezing and what to do when it snows. Stay warm and be careful as it’s slippery out there today.
City announces Code Blue
During bitter cold conditions, with temperatures near or below 20 degrees, the city issues a Code Blue weather advisory, which was announced at 6 p.m. on Monday. The Code Blue advisory triggers 24-hour outreach to homeless individuals and provides access to emergency housing network (see more here). If you see a homeless person outside and without a shelter during extremely cold conditions, you can call the Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984.
Also a reminder to keep an eye on your pets and keep them inside when it gets too cold (or face penalties!). A new ordinance has been introduced in Philadelphia that makes it illegal to leave your dog outside during freezing (or extremely hot) temperatures. To report a dog left outdoors in severe weather call ACCT Philly at 267-385-3800 and dial 0 to speak with the dispatcher or email: fieldservices@acctphilly.org.
Winter Weather Advisory and Snow Removal
A winter weather advisory is in effect for today, and property and business owners are required to clear a path on the sidewalk within six hours of the end of the snowfall.
Residents and business owners must clear a path on sidewalk at least 36” wide within 6 hours of the end of a storm.
— Phila. Streets Dept. (@PhilaStreets) January 6, 2015
For owners of properties located on corners, the path should extend to the handicapped curb ramps to assist pedestrians and wheelchair users
— Phila. Streets Dept. (@PhilaStreets) January 6, 2015
The Philadelphia Streets Department has reminded that property owners are subject to a fine starting at $50 for not complying with this policy. To report a sidewalk that has not been cleared, call the Streets Department Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560.
In case of a heavy snowfall with a large accumulation of snow, the City may declare a snow emergency. Snow emergency means that vehicles parked along the snow emergency routes must be moved to alternate parking spaces, so City crews can clear the snow along these routes.
January 6th, 2015 at 4:05 pm
does anyone live near 45th and walnut? there’s a house with a chain link backyard. it has several cocker spaniels tied out. this breed cannot live outside esp in cold, wet….can someone check and tell ACCT (tgey’d only get written warning)? i don’t live near, just have driven by several times.
January 7th, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Can you be more specific as to the location/how to reach it?
January 7th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
I’ve seen them out too, looking disheveled and cold. I thought it was on 46th though, on the east side between Walnut and Sansom. Easy to see from the sidewalk.
January 7th, 2015 at 8:49 pm
yes, 46th and walnut behind halal food mart parking lot
several black and white chained cocker spaniels behind a chain link fence admist a bunch of junk (appliances, etc)
January 7th, 2015 at 11:37 pm
Are they out in this weather? Have they been reported? I can go by tomorrow and report if needed. Please update!
January 8th, 2015 at 7:46 am
can someone who lives nearby check and get house address so we can ALL call/report. i think multiple complainrs would be really effective 🙂
January 8th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
Is it the responsibility/liability of the tenant “resident” or landlord to clear the sidewalks in front of rental apartments?
January 8th, 2015 at 8:04 pm
The landlord or property management company should be responsible for removing snow, unless your rental agreement states you must take care of it.
January 9th, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Sam S–you’re the poster who seems to know most specifically where the dogs are; can you get the street address and share it so others can either take their own looksee or call the appropriate office? thanks.
January 9th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
ps: Consider using Google map Street View to ‘walk down the street’ and figure out the address that way.
January 10th, 2015 at 11:20 am
Hi,
I just saw this post. The address in question for the dogs is 131 South 46th Street. It is a vacant looking storefront. As far as the side yard goes, there is a covered car and unused food truck/trailer. An earlier post was right about about the dogs looking disheveled. Also I noticed that dogs were not literally chained with a chain but instead there was a rope tied to a tree. Which organization should this be reported to so that something can be done quickly?
January 10th, 2015 at 4:55 pm
Just a little Googling got me to the PAWS website, which yielded this:
If you suspect animal cruelty, neglect, or abuse: Please report it to the PSPCA by calling 1-866-601-SPCA or emailing cruelty@pspca.org.
If you have a complaint about a barking dog or other animal control issue: Please contact ACCT at 267-385-3800 or http://www.acctphilly.org.
If you’re able to take photos of conditions and lack of supervision, that might also help.
January 10th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
I just called, spoke to dispatch, and made a report. Dispatch told me she’d have an officer go check it out. It took all of 8 minutes, including Google time. Hopefully now we all know who to call if this happens again and it won’t take any of us 4 days of talking first.
January 10th, 2015 at 6:33 pm
Well, after I called and left my contact info with dispatch, I took a walk over to the yard where I found exactly zero dogs. I also saw a perfectly servicable looking tarp-covered dog house. Not as nice as a barkalounger, but I do believe owners are only expected to provide shelter to dogs outside. So to avoid sounding like a complete crackpot if ACCT calls, I’d like some information:
1. How many dogs
2. Define ‘disheveled’
3. Is the dog house reachable via the rope and can it house more than 1 dog?
4. Are the dogs tied to a single, or separate, ropes?
5. Is the rope the dogs are tied to the one connected to the tree right behind the back door, near the small food wagon?
6. Have you ever seen any residents at the property/lights on?
7. Have you seen any food or water bowls left for the dogs?
If you have any answers to the questions above and are an eye witness, please call the number I posted and make your own report IF there does seem to be neglect. As of 5 pm today, there were no dogs in that yard.
thanks