Puppy Love: How to Approach Stray Dogs

From Salt Lake City to the East Coast, it’s hard to find a person who isn’t a dog lover. When coming across a stray pup, more often than not, people want to protect the canine and bring it back to its owner or even claim it as their own if it has no tags or identification devices. Either way, most people want to do the right thing. When encountering a stray canine, it’s important to know exactly how to approach the situation with your—and the dog’s— safety in mind to avoid a bite or any other unpleasant injury. 

Avoid the Bite 

A cute, wandering pup may seem sweet and completely harmless. But in reality, this “sweet pup” might actually be defensive and vicious. It is important that individuals take safety precautions to avoid a nasty dog bite. 

If a dog is injured or looks scared, there is a possibility that he/she may bite. If this is the case, Joe Wilkes, writer for Cesar Milan’s (The Dog Whisperer) website, “Caesar’s Way” recommends that people stand away from the dog and call animal control. That way, nobody gets hurt and the professionals can take care of the animal. 

Another Man’s Best Friend 

Wilkes also notes that even if the pup really is sweet and harmless, individuals shouldn’t rush into the decision of keeping the pup as their own—no matter how big those puppy ayes are. It’s important to keep in mind that the canine may belong to someone else, and they may be heartbroken and frantically searching around Salt Lake City for their lost pup. 

A Shelter can be a Second Home

All around Salt Lake City, there are animal shelters that help stray dogs find their homes or give them temporary homes until they are adopted. When coming across a stray pup, it’s wise to contact a local animal shelter and see what the next steps are in helping the canine. 

Whether you’re in a big park or taking a stroll in your neighborhood, when you see a stray pup it’s important to remember what to do and how to approach it. People everywhere love to pet dogs, but if they’re stray, things can become dangerous quickly. To prevent a stray dog bite and keep everyone (including the dog) safe, remain calm and contact the local animal control or a shelter. 

Jordan Lee is a legal writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry.