You see a loose dog: what to do, and how to help safely
In short
- Put your own safety and the dog’s first, especially near busy roads.
- Approach an unfamiliar dog calmly, from the side, without cornering it.
- Check for a collar and tag, and have a vet or shelter scan for a chip.
- Tell the local police zone or municipality and post a listing.
- If there is danger, an injured animal or an aggressive dog: call the emergency services and keep your distance.
A dog walking alone down the street is often lost, frightened and looking for its owner. Sometimes it has simply slipped out of the garden. You want to help, but you do not know how the dog will react. A few simple rules help the animal and keep you safe.
First: is there any danger?
Look at the situation before you act. If the dog is on a busy road or motorway, your intervention could cause an accident. Switch on your hazard lights and park safely, or call 112 if there is immediate danger to people or animals. If in doubt, ask the police for advice. Do not step into moving traffic.
Approach the dog calmly
A lost dog is often stressed and can react unpredictably, even a friendly one. Keep this in mind:
- Do not walk straight at it or stare: that feels threatening.
- Turn your body slightly sideways, crouch if you can and speak softly.
- Offer some water or a bit of food on the ground, but do not force anything.
- Running or shouting can frighten it into bolting.
- Do not grab it if it is scared or growling: it may bite.
If the dog seems frightened, tense or aggressive, stay back and call for help. You do not have to take any risks.
Check for identification
If the dog comes to you calmly, see whether it has a collar with a tag. If there is a phone number, you can ring the owner straight away. You cannot read a chip yourself: for that you take the dog to a vet or a shelter with a scanner. They trace the owner through DogID or another database. Call ahead to be sure they can receive the dog. You can also ask a neighbour who might know it.
Where to take it
If you can take the dog along safely, that is often best. Use a lead or a strong cord and bring it to a vet or the nearest shelter. If you cannot or do not want to take it, call the local police zone or the municipal office: they know how your municipality deals with stray animals. Whatever you do, do not simply drop the matter without telling anyone, as nobody would know the dog is out there.
If you take it home temporarily, keep it indoors or somewhere secure and avoid contact with your own pets. Give it water and quiet, and take photos.
Report the dog
The sooner the owner knows where the dog is, the better. Post a listing with a clear photo, the place and the time. Owners often check our map of listings, and the dog may already be listed as missing. You will find more in our guide found an animal: what now?.
Frequently asked questions
May I keep a dog I have found?
No. The dog probably has an owner who is looking for it. Report it, have its chip scanned and give the owner a chance to collect it. Also ask the police or municipality about the rules.
What if the dog has no chip?
Then reporting matters even more. Take photos, put up a notice in the neighbourhood, alert local vets and the shelter and follow any guidance from the municipality.
The dog looks injured or aggressive. What now?
Keep your distance and do not try to touch it. Call the police or the emergency services, give a clear location and, if possible, stay at a safe distance until help arrives.