05/21/2026
🚨 HELP GET THEM HOME SAFE
Here we are again… But we truly don’t know what else needs to be said to help educate the public about chasing loose dogs.
👉🏼PLEASE take the time to read this.
👉🏼PLEASE share it.
👉🏼PLEASE help educate friends and family.
Because knowing what NOT to do can save a life.
💔Yesterday, a lost Basset Hound that had an active recovery plan in place was hit after being chased by well-meaning humans and sadly had to be euthanized due to severe internal injuries.
We know people mean well.
We know hearts are in the right place.
But please understand:
To a loose, scared dog - YOU are the predator.
And they will do everything in their power to escape you.
They are not thinking about:
🚗 Traffic ahead
🏡 How far they are getting from home
😢 Their own safety
Their only goal is survival:
RUN.
Sadly, in lost dog recovery, humans are often our biggest obstacle.
🔸Please take the time to read this.
🔸Please share it.
🔸Please help educate friends and family.
Because knowing what NOT to do can save a life.
👉🏼🚨IF YOU SEE A LOOSE / AT-LARGE DOG
🔺 DO NOT call out or whistle; they will likely run
🔺 DO NOT engage; they are scared and will flee
🔺 DO NOT chase; this pushes them farther away and into more danger
Most dogs hit by cars didn’t just wander into traffic…
They were chased there by people trying to help.
When a dog is in survival (flight) mode, instinct takes over.
🐕 A person chasing them = danger
🚗 Traffic = not even on their radar
🏡 They will run farther from home or where they were lost
👉 DO NOT FOLLOW A RUNNING DOG
Chasing only pushes them farther away and into greater danger.
Here’s how you CAN help:
✅ IF THE DOG IS STATIONARY:
• Watch their body language
• If they freeze, avoid eye contact, or look ready to bolt then slowly back away
• Take a photo
• Check for a lost dog post or create one with sighting details
➡️ If the dog appears interested and willing to stay engaged:
▪️Calmly try to lure from a distance
▪️Use a soft, non-threatening voice and slow movements
▪️Sit or crouch to appear less intimidating
▪️Toss high-value food in small amounts, slightly closer over time
▪️Allow the dog to choose to approach, never force interaction
⚠️ If the dog stiffens, looks away, or starts disengaging then STOP and back away immediately. Their comfort level can change in seconds.
✅ IF THE DOG IS IN THE ROAD:
▪️Focus on slowing/stopping traffic - NOT the dog
▪️Keep yourself safe, do NOT step into traffic or put yourself at risk
Trying to catch them will only increase panic and make them run.
🚗 Dogs in survival mode know when they’re being followed:
• Circling cars
• People tracking them
• Feeling “hunted”
➡️ They will not stop until they feel safe and unobserved.
🙌 PLEASE SHARE
Knowing what NOT to do can save a life and help get them home faster 💛🐾
