• Behavioral Issues
• Child Care
• Cleaning Up After a Storm
• Communication
• Deciding To Stay Or Go
• Evacuation Shelters
• First Aid & Medical
• Flood Center
• Food and Water
• Help the Relief Effort
• Insurance Center
• Lighting & Power
• Pet Care
• Preparing Your Home
• Special Needs
• Storms Explained

Stray Dogs in Hurricane Disaster Areas

Any dog that is loose may be lost, frightened, or hurt – and more likely to bite. Even dogs that are usually friendly may bite if they are scared or hurt.

To avoid being bitten by a dog:

• Do not walk up to or call a dog you do not know.
  
• Do not feed or pet a dog you do not know.
  
• Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
  
• If a strange dog walks toward you, stay calm.
  
• Do not run from a dog and scream – be “still like a tree."
  
• Do not make eye-to-eye contact with a dog.
  
• If you fall or are knocked to the ground by a dog, curl into a ball with your hands over
  your head and neck. Protect your face. Try to stay still and do not scream.
  
  

If you are bitten by a dog:

• Call 911 if emergency help is needed.
  
• Take care of the bite wound:
  • Before treating the wound, wash your hands with soap and clean water.
    
  • Remove any item that is in the way of caring for the wound.
    
  • Put pressure on the wound with a clean cloth to spot bleeding.
    
  • After the bleeding has stopped, pour bottled or clean running water over the
    wound.
    
  • Gently clean around the wound with soap and clean water.
    
  • Pat dry and use an adhesive bandage or dry clean cloth to cover the wound.
    
  • Leave unclean wounds open.
    
• Call your doctor or go to the hospital emergency department for more care.
  
• Report the bite to your local animal control agency. Tell the animal control official everything you know about the dog and where it went.

If you are trying to find your lost dog or a temporary place to keep your dog:

• Look on the Web at http://disaster.petfinder.com/emergency