As a community, we in Beavercreek seem to do all we can to re-unite Fido or Socks with their proper owner.  Not everyone is an animal lover (like the 'gentleman' in my neighborhood who insists on carrying a miniature baseball bat as a club), but by and large we want to see our four-legged friends returned home.

As an animal lover myself, I've personally helped about a half dozen pups find their owners in the past couple of years alone.  In so doing, I've learned a number of important facts and can pass along a few pointers...

Avoiding the stray

First and foremost - not everyone should attempt this!  Not all dogs want to be caught.  More than likely, if you pursue them - they'll run.  The key is attracting them to you.  Unfortunately, this is quite easy for the aggressive dogs on the news.  Make the decision quickly as to whether you're going to help or get out of Dodge!  If escaping the animal is preferred, here are some tips from VeterinaryPartner.com:

• Use a loud noisemaker such as a boat horn.
• Use a "silent" noisemaker designed to repel dogs.
• Carry a big umbrella that opens fast with a whooshing sound, and open it in the other dog's face. Use it to shield your dog from the other dog.
• Stand up straight facing the dog and say "NO" in a firm voice. Back slowly away from the area with your dog, keeping the front of your body toward the other dog. This method can work for dogs who are trying to herd you.
• Turn the side of your body to the dog as you move slowly away. This method may be your choice when confronted by a hard, serious dog. Don't turn your back to the dog.
• If the other dog is not at his home, firmly say "GO HOME."
• Purchase a repellant spray to use on attacking dogs.
• Carry a squirt bottle or water pistol containing vinegar or vinegar and water that you can spray at dogs.
• Keep your own dog as quiet and calm as possible. Your dog is a more likely target for the other dog than you are, and the more active your dog is in the situation, the greater the chance of an attack.

I'm never a proponent of hitting, kicking or attempting to injure a dog - but if the choice becomes you or the dog, choose YOU!!

Catching The Stray

Petfinder.com says to use calming signals and try to do something to calm and attract the dog. Lip licking, yawning, feigning like you’re eating food off the ground are such signals.

Some other things you can try:

• Have a crinkly bag like a potato chip bag with treats inside it (keep it in your car, it just needs to make noise when you crinkle it)
• When you see a stray dog, get out of your car and watch the dog out of the corner of your eye
• Start crinkling the bag and start saying very loudly “NUMMY, NUMMY, NUMMY!” (their words, not mine!) as you feign like you are dropping the food onto the ground
• Kneel down and start acting like you’re picking up pieces that you dropped on the ground
• In many cases, the dog will have stopped and will be watching you because you are no longer using that “Come here!” voice. You are using the universal language (nummy, nummy) of food, and you are kneeling down and not a threat. Also, you are not going to the dog, but many times, the dog will come to you!

If you do happen to gain custody of the pooch, there are a few surprises ahead of you.  The Greene County Animal Shelter will scan the dog for a microchip to help identify its lost owner, but be aware that they will retain custody of the pup at that point.  Yes, this means you will not leave there with the dog.  Should you call them and choose not to take advantage of their services, be aware that they'll request your personal information and THEN inform you that it's illegal to harbor a stray animal.

Also important to know, many of the surrounding county animal shelters do microchip dogs prior to adopting them out - however, it seems rare that the owner's contact information is coded into the database.  So now you find yourself in possession of a dog that isn't yours, but is microchipped - without so much as the owner's name.

Look the pup over!  Some will have collars or tags that provide an ID number that is searchable online, I've personally found this to be the case twice.  Also, you may even find a tattoo with contact information on the inside of a rear leg.  Due to the dietary restrictions of some animals, offer them a dish of water - and then a second because they're really thirsty after all that running!

If your new canine companion seems healthy and happy, odds are very good there's an owner or four desperately searching for their missing member - and may only be a block away!  With some due diligence, a bit of sign searching and some posting on "The Buzz" and BeavercreeksLiving, you'll likely be someone's hero in the very near future!

We encourage you to follow the law and your conscience.  A canine on the run can be dangerous, especially in the creating vehicle accidents.  No one wants to hit a dog, see an animal get hit, or find themselves in a fender as a result of cars dodging a scared and confused pet.  Should you need further assistance, please contact:

Greene County Animal Control

Humane Society of Greene County

Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA)

Please do all you can to keep your pets contained.  Check your fence, consider an 'invisible' fence, try a little obedience training and as Bob Barker always says - please help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered.

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