How to help a stray dog safely

Start with your eyes, not your hands

Most people who want to help a street dog begin by reaching for it. That is the one thing a frightened dog is least able to cope with. Stand still, at an angle rather than head on, and watch for a minute.

You are looking for four things: body condition, gait, breathing, and whether the dog is alert to you at all. A dog that goes back to sniffing is relaxed. A dog that freezes, drops its head, or tucks its tail is not.

Approach in a way that leaves the dog an exit

Crouch low, keep your body turned slightly away, and never block the path behind the dog. Let it come to you. Hold food out to the side, not in front of your face.

If the dog backs away, stop. Try again in ten minutes, or tomorrow. Nothing is lost by waiting; a lot is lost by pushing.

Decide what this dog actually needs

Not every street dog needs rescuing. Write down what you see and sort it:

A healthy, fed dog with a locality is usually best helped by feeding it well, watching for illness, and supporting sterilization when the van comes. A sick or injured dog needs a clinic. A puppy needs a check for a mother nearby. An aggressive or panicking dog needs a trained rescuer, not a crowd.

• Healthy and settled: feed, watch, vaccinate when possible.
• Thin, tick-covered or lame: needs a vet check soon.
• Open wound, bleeding, unable to stand: today, not tomorrow.
• In traffic, on a highway, or trapped: call a rescuer now.
• A tiny puppy alone: check for the mother before touching it.

Food is a tool, not a rescue

A little plain food and clean water does more for trust than a whole packet of biscuits. Put it down, step back, and let the dog eat. Do not stand over the bowl.

If you intend to feed regularly, do it at the same time and place each day, and put the food on a paper plate or the ground rather than scattering it across a road.

What to hand over if you call for help

A rescuer on the phone needs a location pin, a photo, what is wrong, and whether the dog is approachable. Send all four in one message, and stay with the dog if it is safe to do so.

Then stay out of the way. A crowd of well-meaning people is the fastest way to make a frightened dog bolt into traffic.