Police found a dog left out in the bitter cold in Dix Hills last night, and pet owners are being reminded to bring their animals indoors as temperatures drop to dangerous lows.

Suffolk police say they found a dog tied up in a backyard on Village Drive late last night. Investigators identified the owner as 68-year-old Dominick Sala.

Police say Sala was arrested last night and issued a field appearance ticket. Sala is expected in court March 2. If convicted, he could face a $250 fine and up to five days behind bars.

A neighbor tells News 12 Long Island that the homeowner regularly leaves his dogs chained up outside.

“They've left their dogs outside in all different conditions, whether it's the heat of the summer or the cold of the winter, they leave their dogs chained outside a lot and we hear them barking,” the neighbor said.

SPCA officials say it’s a common problem across Suffolk County. Right now, they're getting around 35 calls per day about animals being left outside in the cold.

“If the dog is old or if the dog is very young, the dog could die,” says Suffolk County SPCA Detective Domenic Mozzone. “It could get hypothermia very quickly, depending on the breed, depending on the amount of coat that's on it.”

County law states that animals are not to be left outside when temperatures drop below freezing.