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Throw the food farther and farther away from you so the dog focuses on the food while you retreat to a place of safety. Because strays are almost always hungry, you can use the food to take the dog's attention off you.
Wild dogs barking full#
Carrying treats or a pocket full of kibble along with you is a much better option. Pepper spray (or some other non-lethal spray) is not an appropriate defense measure, as this doesn't always work and can exacerbate the situation. It's always better to be safe than risk a potentially dangerous encounter.Ĭarry food as a distraction. Step inside a fenced area, enter a place of business, or knock on a neighbor's door. If you see a stray dog approaching from a distance, look for a place that's secure. Also, for a variety of safety reasons, always bring a mobile phone with you. It's always best to know who and what is around you. You may see things you've not noticed before. This level of awareness doesn't have to take away from the joy of your walk. Even in familiar surroundings, scan the area, near and far. Despite knowledge of or a love for dogs, it is best to steer clear of a stray.? There are too many unknown factors with a stray dog it's simply not worth the risk. Strays are usually hungry, thirsty, sometimes injured-and almost always frightened. So what should we do if we encounter a stray dog while out walking? Our attention to our surroundings and our intellect are our top defenses in avoiding an incident with a stray dog. We all know it is the responsibility of dog owners to care for, train, and look after their canine companions, but we also know this does not always happen. Broad estimates indicate that about 10 to 12 percent of dog bites involve strays. Some are reunited with their owners and others are picked up by animal control authorities, but some become feral and can pose a threat to humans.Īnnually, on average, about 800,000 people are injured by dogs seriously enough to require medical attention 63 percent of dog bites occur within pet owners' homes and 43 percent of all dog bites involve children bitten by the family dog. By some reports, more than 500,000 dogs are lost or abandoned every month across the country. Our Pet education page has information for dog owners about why dogs bark and what owners can do to reduce excessive barking.Stray dogs-dogs that have been abandoned and are homeless or dogs that are running loose without an owner-are a growing problem nationwide.
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