At one time or another you may have seen a dog wandering hopelessly around the streets, and it’s possible it could have escaped from its home, or in the worst-case scenario, has been ‘dumped’.
Your first thought is possibly to try and catch it
Be careful – there is a difference between a dog who needs help and one who is a knowledgeable street dog on a normal walkabout. Dogs who have been recently abandoned or have escaped are absolutely in need of the help and are often some of the easiest to catch. One whistle and a treat is maybe all it takes to get it happily sitting in your back seat.
But one that runs away might not have been socialized with mankind, or has been mistreated, and it doesn’t want or understand human contact. These are best left alone, sad though it might seem – it might be a pet that has lived for so long as a street dog, that human kindness won’t be remembered.
Shelters
Some of the shelters in Portugal are superb, but most have limited space. They are mostly overcrowded and underfunded, and although they mean well, some can only offer minimal care, so even if they offer to take in your foundling, go and check them out first or ask around.
Living on the streets
A dog loose on the street is legally an abandoned animal, and will be rounded up for the Municipal kennel. The owner could be identified, held accountable, and in serious cases, accused of animal mistreatment. However, some slip through the net, and if you find a healthy animal that has a food and water source, and is relatively happy and well-adjusted to street life then perhaps you should leave it on the street or, if female and you can afford it, have it neutered and return to where you found it.
Some might be frightened and run from you, while others come right up to you, happily accepting your help, but don’t grab at a loose dog, as sudden movements may frighten the dog even more, and you may receive a response from the sharp end!
Treats are always helpful, and it might be more willing to approach you if you have a handful of doggie snacks.
Run away from the dog
If you try to chase a loose dog, it is likely to run away from you, just as if it’s a game you might play with your own pet. You might try running in the opposite direction in the hope that the dog will then chase you. Calling the dog or patting your legs in an attempt to get the dog to come to you is another frequent error. If the dog is frightened, this could cause him to react negatively, making it bolt in the other direction and possibly run right into traffic.
Use calming signals
While dogs don’t understand what you say, they do understand body language. Calming signals show the dog you mean no harm, and these include yawning, blinking and moving from the side instead of head on. Lower yourself to their level and you will look less intimidating.
A dog who is obviously sick, or malnourished and skinny is the dog who absolutely should not be left on the street. But keep in mind that unless you are able to pay for any treatment and keep the dog, reality will often dictate that it will not find a happy ending. There are certain legalities involved in catching a dog, and your first stop should be a vet to check for a microchip. In Portugal, the Law says all dogs must be microchipped and registered, and there are new legal rules for pet owners, who are legally obliged to ensure respect for each species, its health and welfare, which include access to water, food, vaccines, veterinary care and proper identification. So if any of these rules are broken you have greater rights to collect, treat, and definitely sterilise the dog. Most vets and some charities will be able to help you with this information.
Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man.
Marilyn Sheridan
