How to capture a scared stray dog?

Near my house there is an open lot and many dogs hang out there. We often take table rests for the dogs, usually the same one because he’s friendlier.

This morning there was a new dog there and it needed help badly. The dog looked about 8 months old but it had the same collar on as it did when it was (my guess)10 weeks old. The poor thing lost all the fur around its neck and it looks bloody and infected.

I just wanted to catch it but he wouldn’t let me get close. I put pork down and walked away. He started eating it. If I tried approaching, he would keep his distance.

Even if I caught it, it probably would have bit my arms off.

So how do you catch a scared stray dog?

bobepine

call Stray dog. The guy is always on duty. :slight_smile:

peace

[quote=“jdsmith”]call Stray dog. The guy is always on duty. :slight_smile:

peace[/quote]I’m in Kaohsiung. :s I called www.savedogs.org They were going to send a rescuer today but I had to call back because the dog was no where to be seen anymore. I wish I could have captured it then and there. :s

bobepine

Savedogs will get it for you, and thanks for helping the poor guy.

We use different methods, depending on the situation, but things will be much easier when we ship over humane traps from the States.

If you can get close enough, loop something over the dog’s head (we have a dog-catching pole). This works fine if you can get close enough.

If the dog avoids the ‘noose’, the next thing to do is to chase the dog down; many dogs will stop running and cower on their backs, ready to defend themselves, and this is the ideal chance pin the dog down by its neck using the stick while grabbing for the scruff. You can try to calm the dog at this point, as many will now let you handle them as they feel you have domintaed them (they are in a submissive position). Lots of dogs who tried to bite me just accepted their fate once they’d gone to their backs.

Another method is to put food in a wire cage; have wire tied to the door and fed through the roof of the cage so that you can pull the door shut from behind. A wire cage is better than a crate, as it doesn’t seem like a confined space to a dog.

If you can get your hands on some, you can buy a quick-working sedative from the States that you can put in the food; it will knock the dog out in about 20 minutes. Savedogs also use a tranquiliser gun or blowdart. Both of these methods should be used with caution, by someone with experience.

Other methods that animal welfare groups use in Asia are a net - literally a huge butterfly net, which you can throw over the dog. Once again, if the dog becomes really scared while not too far away, it might turn and cower ot bear its teeth, and this is an excellent time to use the net. Some groups prefere to use a sack, as it blocks the dog’s vision, which helps to calm it. We’ve used a duvet in a similar fashion and it worked well.

In some situations, you will have the dog pinned down or draped in a net or blanket, and just by talking calmly and reassuringly to the dog while asserting your dominance with your stance and position over the animal, you can start to get ut used to your touch, by tickling the base of its tail, then slowly moving up. Do this carefuly and watch the eyes and the lips for signs that the dog will try to bite. A sharp ‘Ah ah’ will actually stop many attempts. If you can start to stroke the scruff of the neck, you are in an excellent position to get a muzzle on the dog, which must be done slowly but deliberately. You’d be surprised how many dogs will let you do this once you’ve dominated and calmed them.

You can also lay a net on the ground and put food in the middle, and rig up some way to pull up at least two adjacent corners as the dog steps in.

Finally, you can often just walk up to the dog and put a collar and leash on it - by far the best method, if the dog is willing. :wink: This is actually quite easy to do if you gain the dog’s trust over time, and this method has proved very effective for us in the past. The best person to do this is the one who has been feeding it.

I’m sure there are more ways, but I can’t think of any right now. In all cases the key is to wholeheartedly commit to the act of capture; any animal will take huge advantage of your hesitation or uncertainty.

Good luck, and keep us posted. (And do be extremely careful about being bitten; it does happen.)

Thanks Sean, excellent info.

I spotted the dog again this morning and I called Savedogs right away. Mr. Chen and his wife were on sight within twenty minutes.

He used a tranquilizer gun and we managed to capture the poor thing. Worse is it wasn’t a collar choking it, it was a rubber band. :fume:

Big hats off to Savedogs, they saved one more. The dog is now at the vet and it has to have the rubber band surgically removed. They will also neuter it and I’m not sure if it will be released or put up for adoption because it’s quite wild.

Pic of the injury:

Pic of Mr. Chen, founder of Savedogs just about to load the dog into his car.

On the above pic you can see that the rubber band goes around his head and neck above one ear and behind the other. :s

bobepine

PS: Thanks to Sandman for posting a like to Savedogs in another thread. I didn’t know we had such a good ressource in Kaohsiung. :notworthy:

what a cool story. I love seeing rescues like this…good job!

Good to know that there’s actually someone I can call in Kaohsiung… Nice work bobepine… I wonder what asshole put a rubber band around the poor thing’s neck… :fume:

I was talking to Sean about the use of the pole (version II). I think when I get the chance I might make a some more and we can arrange to get one down to your good people there - although if they have tranq gun they sound pretty well set up, so might have a pole already.

Good job, Bobepine; a rescue well done! :bravo: :slight_smile: :notworthy:

You guys in K-Town should support Lovedogs; they really do great work, and they need your money to carry on.

That poor dog. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to know that it’s suffering is coming to an end in a positive way.

I also can’t tell you the thoughts that appear in my head of what I would like to see done to the idiots that commit these cruel and cowardly acts.

Again, good job, Bobepine. Looking forward to reading about your next one! :wink:

Sean

[quote=“trapjaw”]Good to know that there’s actually someone I can call in Kaohsiung… Nice work bobepine… I wonder what asshole put a rubber band around the poor thing’s neck… :fume:[/quote]Mr.Chen’s emegency number is 0938239769. If you do not speak Chinese he will refer you to his wife Maggie at 0927069496.

[quote=“Truant”]I was talking to Sean about the use of the pole (version II). I think when I get the chance I might make a some more and we can arrange to get one down to your good people there - although if they have tranq gun they sound pretty well set up, so might have a pole already.[/quote]I’m sure they have a pole already but if you have an extra one you do not need, by all means let me know please.

For the dog we captured today, the pole would have been no good, the dog is too wild and he couldn’t be approached close enough. Here’s a pic of the dart used.

It’s got to hurt…The dog yelped loudly and bolted. It took about 2 minutes for him to slow down and and about 5 minutes to collapse but he never actually fell asleep, the dosage was just right I thought.

I will visit the vet this week and I will keep anyone interested posted on George’s improvements.(George is the dog’s chosen name for the time being)

bobepine

interesting. So, lighter fluid CAN be used to stun a dog.

[quote=“Truant”]interesting. So, lighter fluid CAN be used to stun a dog.[/quote]I put the cigarette lighter next to the dart to show its size. :stuck_out_tongue:

Didn’t I tell you not to post after midnight anyways?

bobepine

Why would we want to know the size of a cigarette lighter? :loco:

Why would we want to know the size of a cigarette lighter? :loco:[/quote]

so you know how many darts you can fill with it. Geez :loco:

Anyway, the title of this thread makes it sound like it should be in D&R.

[quote=“Truant”]Anyway, the title of this thread makes it sound like it should be in D&R.[/quote] :laughing: I almost specified in brackets but I figured it was obvious. :laughing:

bobepine

Is this the same story I heard about in the China Post?
See chinapost.com.tw/archive/det … 3&id=33426

It’s interesting that te Lovedogs guy said it was from eating out of discarded lunch boxes; we hear that it’s a common prank, to put a band over a dog’s neck or penis.

Either way, it’s great that the dog has been rescued; let’s just hope it pulls through.

I didn’t know it made the news. After all it’s just one of many dogs living a miserable life in Kaohsiung.

[quote]we hear that it’s a common prank, to put a band over a dog’s neck or penis.[/quote] :unamused:

[quote]It’s interesting that the Lovedogs guy said it was from eating out of discarded lunch boxes;[/quote]That opens up a whole new can of worms…But you know that. :wink:

It’s a matter of “choosing your battle.” FWIW, reading about your constant efforts is always an inspiration.

bobepine

[quote=“Truant”]I was talking to Sean about the use of the pole (version II). I think when I get the chance I might make a some more and we can arrange to get one down to your good people there - although if they have tranq gun they sound pretty well set up, so might have a pole already.[/quote]I’d be very interested to find out what that pole looks like. Can I make one myself? Pics or description would be great. I could have pmed you but I think this is good info for anyone wanting to rescue/capture a dog.

I caught a dog today. I made this thing:

It’s just basically made with a plastic pipe 3/4, 2 plumbing clamps and some common 1/2’ white rope. It worked but I’m sure it hurt the dog badly. The dog would try to get away so strenuously that it had to hurt. :s More about this dog in another thread…

Thanks in advance,

bobepine