Summer is the time when unfortunately the incidence of dog abandonment is very high. It may happen that you meet a four-legged friend who suddenly has no home to welcome him because he was abandoned on the street or in some cases because he got lost.
If we find a dog in this situation, our behavior is important because a mistake on our part could endanger the life of the furry friend or make it impossible for him to return home, if he accidentally disappeared. Let’s see what to do and who to contact.
What are the risks of leaving a dog?
Abandoning a dog is a crime involving a fine of 10 thousand euros and in the worst cases even imprisonment. The moment we witness a dog abandoned by someone, the first thing to do is take a photo or video as proof and get the license plate of the car.
You must make a report to the local police, or contact the State Forestry Corps, the Carabinieri and the State Police.
Staying calm is the key
If we find an abandoned dog, we must first of all stay calm, because we have a frightened or restless animal in front of us. If we realize that he is not well and asks for help, a hasty or sudden action on our part will only increase his fear.
A tip is to make a makeshift leash that you can use in the moment. It is better to approach the furry friend with caution and talk to him gently. To make him trust us, let’s avoid raising above him, but stoop to be on his level. Then extend your hand to him with the palm facing up. To prevent him from escaping, put him on a leash and move him to a safe place.
If the dog we find is injured or feeling unwell, he is likely to be scared and act unpredictably. This is why we need to act more dangerously, so that he will not be afraid.
Who to call if we come across an abandoned dog
When an abandoned or lost furry friend is found, who do we call? If the four-legged friend has a collar, we contact the owners directly. If, however, it is abandoned, we will contact the Municipal Police or the Veterinary Services of ASL who by law must intervene. If the health services do not intervene, especially if the dog is injured, we contact the nearest veterinarian because they are also obliged to provide assistance, in this case the cost of the veterinarian is at our expense.
The Carabinieri for Environmental Protection also has a specific free number available where cases of mistreatment can also be reported.
However, they are not the only bodies to open, in some cases we need to check the situation and the place of discovery. This way we can contact the competent authorities. For example, if on the motorway, the traffic police should be contacted, while if near the woods the most appropriate would be the forest police.
Where to take the abandoned dog?
After the authorities intervene and treat the dog (if necessary) it will be treated at the local health shelter where it will stay for approximately ten days. In this period of time, if the owner requests it, it can be handed over only and exclusively to him.
After this time, anyone who wants and meets the requirements can request foster care. This is a temporary condition, but after sixty days it becomes permanent.