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Stray Dog: 5 Guidelines To Follow If You Find A Free-Roaming Dog
Occasionally, you may find a dog that comes willingly to you and eagerly accepts an invitation into your home. However, not all stray animals go eagerly to their human saviors, so arming yourself with some ingenuity and information may be the only way to convince a stray that life with you will be better than life on the streets.
If you do happen to decide to pursue capturing that stray dog, be careful and don't risk being injured yourself. Stray or injured animals may be stressed and frightened, and your attempt to help may cause them to react defensively or behave unpredictably.
A Word Of Warning: If you have other pets, be sure to isolate the stray until you can have the new animal examined by a veterinarian and tested for parasites and contagious diseases.
Dogs and dog ownership are often governed by the laws of the municipalities in which they live or are found. If you find a free-roaming dog, follow these guidelines before you decide to make the dog your own.
1. When you see a free-rooming dog, contact your local police, humane organization, or animal control authorities to determine what procedures, if any, you are required to follow for the dog's capture. The solution may be as simple as providing the exact location where you saw the dog so that someone can come and catch him.
2. If you have determined that you can catch the dog yourself, speak, gently to him and offer some food.
3. If the dog is wearing a collar with identification tags, contact the owner. The owner may be unaware that the dog is missing. If the dog is not wearing togs, notify your focal animal control authorities. If you have caught the dog, you may be obligated to turn him over and wait for a specified period of time in case the owner is attempting to find him.
4. If the dog is injured, take him to a veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic. However, treatment is not free, so be prepared to pay the fees for the dog's treatment.
5. If you would like to keep the dog, let the animal control authorities know that you will provide a home if the owner is not found.
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