There are many different ways to handle animals. Even if you know the animal, it may behave different if the owner is not there. If there is a female in season, a male dog that is normally pleasant, may become defensive and territorial. This is also true of female animals with their young. Even people who handle animals all of the time will eventually be caught off guard and risk injury when handling stray or strange animals. Loose or stray animals should only be handled by their owners or Animal Control.

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If approached by strange dog, always keep it within sight. I may want to play, just ignore you and keep moving, or it may act aggressively. If a dog displays aggression towards you, face the animal. Dogs prefer to attack from behind; few will actually attack from the front. Watch the dog, but don’t stare at it; a dog perceives direct eye to eye contact as a threat or a challenge. If there is more than one dog, it may be necessary to back up against a barrier such as a car, fence or wall to keep them from surrounding you. Stay still until the dog(s) back down, then slowly move away while still facing the dog.

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Keep all vaccinations current; you cannot be sure what stray or wild animals enter your yard or what they may be carrying. Keep current city tags on you pet. This will help us return your animal as soon as possible in the event it ever gets away from you.

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If you have an outside animal, be sure it has plenty of shade and clean water available. The animal should also have a dry, windproof place to escape from the cold and rain as well as a fence capable of containing the animal.

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If you have an inside animal, keep the floor free of strings, rubber bands or other items the animal may eat. These things can cause severe injury or death when swallowed.

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Help keep walking areas and parks clean for others to enjoy. Richland Hills City Ordinance requires that an owner clean up after their pets as well as have them on a leash when outside of its enclosure.

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When it is necessary to carry your pet, be sure to give it as much support as possible. Draping it over one arm, like one would carry a coat, can inhibit the animals breathing. For small animals, keep your arm beside the animal’s body while supporting the animal with the length of your arm. For larger animals, place one arm in front of the front legs, supporting the shoulders, and the other under the hips, behind the back legs. These methods provide comfortable and safe support for your animal.

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Always secure your animal while riding in a vehicle. Crates or animal seatbelts are available at most pet stores. Having yours pets ride in the open bed of a truck is very unsafe.

If you are or doing other activities that you would require you to leave your pet inside of your vehicle unattended, please leave it at home. Cracked windows and water are not enough. Dogs have suffered from heatstroke while in the open beds of trucks.

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No matter what kind of pet you have, make every effort to keep it confined to your property. Not only can a loose animal be trapped or impounded, there is also a possibility of it becoming seriously injured by other animals or struck by a vehicle.

You and your animal will be much happier together.

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