Coming across abandoned animals on the street is a rather sad scene, which is unfortunately quite common these days. However, most of us do not know how to behave when faced with this kind of situation. It does not matter if they are wandering the streets of your neighborhood or sheltering on the side of a road, it is very important to know what to do if you come across a stray dog. To help you, this article indicates the steps to follow in this kind of case.
How to behave with a stray dog?
The first thing to do when faced with a stray dog is to avoid approaching it. Although most dogs are affectionate, the animal may feel threatened and could potentially attack you. If the dog approaches you, you must remain very cautious. Neither your hands nor your face should be within reach of its teeth. If the dog starts to growl or bark, you must immediately retreat to a safe place and call animal control to take charge of it.
On the other hand, if the stray dog is rather sociable and friendly, the first step to take is to try to get it out of any possible risk situation. Approach the animal with caution, and speak to it with tenderness to gain its trust. Among the good gestures when dealing with a stray dog is to offer it food to put it at ease. You must then try to spot signs of injury or illness.
What to do if you can’t find the dog’s owner?
In many cases, a stray dog on the street is not necessarily an abandoned animal, but rather a lost dog, which is being sought by its owner. To do this, you should check whether it has a collar and an identification tag. If the animal does indeed have an identification accessory, do not hesitate to contact the owner, to agree together on the best way to return the pet.
If you can’t find the owner, you’ll be faced with a choice: adopt or give up the dog for adoption. If you’re not willing to keep the dog, you can take it to a shelter or pound, or call them to come pick it up. If you decide to adopt, you must follow the necessary steps to avoid possible prosecution for theft! Regardless of your decision, you must file a report with the authorities.
Adopt a stray dog!
It is not uncommon for people who find lost dogs to develop a bond with them. In this sense, if you decide to adopt a stray dog, you must take into account the legal aspects related to this adoption and make sure to follow the necessary procedures for this purpose. Before letting the dog come into contact with other pets, it is very important to have it examined by a veterinarian, to verify that it is free of disease, fleas, or injuries that need to be treated.
It is also very important to observe the dog’s behavior around pets and family members to make sure that it does not show signs of aggression. The top priority is to take the best possible precautions depending on the situation and avoid any risk.
