by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society
Did you know, despite the old-fashioned notion of the dog catcher chasing a loose dog with a net, that is not how it really happens. As a matter of fact, chasing a dog is useless since dogs have four legs and humans only two! Unless you happen to be Flo Jo, then maybe.
There are two types of stray dogs: those who got out of the house or yard and are taking themselves on a fun excursion and those who are abandoned. The escapees usually run around the neighborhood and may finally go home, be returned home or accept a lift to the shelter by Animal Control. Unless it’s Rocky, the Running Walker Hound, who regularly runs off to parts unknown ending up many miles from home, only stopping when he tires. Like Forrest Gump. But, sadly, sometimes, tragedy strikes when a dog is hit by a car or is involved in a bite incident. Animal Control responds to these situations too. Knowing your dog and always keeping identification on your pet can mitigate these unfortunate outings and outcomes. It’s not cheap to get your dog out of jail as the fees include the Town impoundment, dog license and rabies vaccination if not current. However, if the dog ends up at the shelter, it is safe and cared for until reunited with family.
The abandoned dog most times stays in the same vicinity where he was “dumped”. He doesn’t understand the term abandoned, so he waits for his owner to return. When the waiting seems endless, he may wander farther and farther away and go into flight mode in panic and fear. Even though they often return to the same spot, there is no catching them at this point. Unless they end up in a fenced in area at which time Animal Control should be called immediately, no matter the time of day or night. Calling out to these panic-stricken dogs or chasing them only exacerbates trying to catch them. Well-meaning but interfering people have literally caused an ACO to be bitten during a rescue. Unless help is requested, keeping a distance and remaining quiet is safer for everybody.
For nearly three weeks there has been a large, short haired female dog on the loose with reports of her at Shoprite, in Bellvale and heading towards Greenwood Lake. At 7:30 am, I received the call that she was in the trap and freaking out. I was out the door in 5 minutes and at her side within 6 minutes thanks to the weeklong determination of Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery, a not for profit, professional “dog finder” organization who knows how to track, bait, monitor and humanely trap using feeding stations, cameras and reported sightings from an involved community. Unfortunately, there have been no calls from anyone missing this dog, no posters or social media postings. For now, she’s recovering from starvation and exhaustion at the shelter. Our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in this effort to bring “T-Swizzle” to safety, especially our partner and Taylor Swift fan, Nicole of Buddha Dog Rescue & Recovery.
Pet of the week
He’s still at the shelter after 6 months or 181 days! Waldo is 8 1/2 yr. old unclaimed stray found on Bellvale Road last August. Our spry senior large male black lab mix with a white chest and toes is young at heart despite his graying muzzle. Waldo seems to like female dogs his size and kids. He loves to race around our fenced play yard and will go belly up for belly rubs. What he is lacking in leash manners he makes up for with his pouting face.
