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Written by Debbie Hall
Searchers
must have a leash and “bait” such as: hotdogs, string
cheese, meatballs & “stinky” cheese like Provolone/Swiss,
salmon-flavor kitty treats, luncheon meats,
“Little Caesar” dog food & “Sheeba” cat food –both easy tubs, no can opener
needed.
*****Bring a squeaky toy, ball
or Frisbee if dog likes them.
Lost
dogs are scared, confused and generally respond better to rescue attempts made
by women. They
might prefer children they know & love rather than the adult owners. Children must be old enough to understand the
situation & remain calm.
Well-intentioned people, including owners, initially chase these dogs. Chasing
just reinforces the dog’s perception that people are “predators” and may make
some of them run even further. Dogs are
extremely adaptable and will revert to instinctive survival behavior. They constantly search for food, water
& shelter. Water is relatively easy
to find. Food is a challenge. A dog may hunt for rodents, birds and snakes
and will also eat birdseed, manure, grass, insects and carrion. They rummage through garbage bags on trash
night. They find food left out in bowls for other animals. Dogs lose weight
during their ordeal but can survive for a long time. They are attracted to
dumpsters with food, most farms, kennels and multiple-animal homes. Quiet yards, especially on dead end streets
are favorite places to find shelter. They rest on lawns, in fields, cemeteries,
open barns & sheds, under shrubs & porch decks. They try to sleep as close
to a house as possible, especially at night. It affords them protection from harsh weather
and predators. Dogs don’t usually go
into deep woods unless chased. They can
use shallow woods to hide on a temporary basis. Their search for food, water, shelter and familiar scents keeps them
primarily in residential areas.
Follow the same routes used previously when
walking the dog. Go for a walk with
another dog (on leash) from the home, a dog “friend” or same-breed dog.
Act “happy” but calm and get
the other dog to bark occasionally. A
lost dog, if close by, might hear the barking & come out to greet the other
dog. Dogs use golf courses, gravel pits,
railroad tracks, fields, cemeteries, power line access roads and parks as
shortcuts to get to other streets or the next town. Explain to pet owners that their dog or cat
may be agitated for hours when they know a strange dog has settled into their
yard or neighbor’s yard. Dogs may bark
excessively for quite awhile. The general public and many lost dog owners are
quick to assume that a dog has been a victim of coyotes. Coyotes are a real
threat but not an excessive one. Many
dogs smell them, sense trouble and go in the opposite direction. Situations vary, but dogs can survive
snowstorms and harsh weather. During the winter you can follow tracks through
the snow. Walk beside the tracks, not on
them. Bring extra clothes if you plan to
be out for any length of time. When
“tracking”, be discreet. Walk quietly
and talk in soft, reassuring tones except in woods with bear and moose.
Be aware of hunting seasons and never trespass.
Do not have noisy groups of searchers walking or running around a
“sighting” area. Dogs can sense when
they are being “hunted” and can easily outmaneuver the best of you. Organize everyone and have a plan – “who to
call and what to do” if the dog is spotted.
Time is always critical and a quick response is best.