Swain County, NC Lost Male Dog, Bane Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

1 month ago

🙏🏼 Please ask that people DO NOT try to chase, follow, or call out to your dog if spotted. Whenever possible, it’s best if people report sightings and direction of travel to owner immediately, and don’t post specific sighting locations publicly. It’s important for a lost dog to remain in the same area so it can be safely brought home, and unfortunately many well meaning people scare these dogs away and owners must start the search over. Even stopping a car nearby or closing a car door can be enough to accidentally scare the dog off. As soon as possible, the owners/guardians should place some items like unwashed laundry that smell strongly of their owners (clothes, socks, sheets) in the area last seen. Dogs in particular who get lost from an unfamiliar location almost always circle back to the place they got lost from, often at dusk or dawn when it’s quiet. Check the clothing/laundry spots at dusk and dawn, sometimes dogs are found laying on these items. Place the items in a place away from the road so the dog doesn’t move toward traffic. Keep in mind, the dogs won’t be using their noses when they are scared, and may not smell treats or recognize the scent or voice of their owners right away. Dogs are scared/lost often won’t recognize their owners when in that mindset and may not act at all like they do at home- even a super friendly and social dog might be in fear/survival mode and run away from even the people they know. Avoid calling out or whistling to the dog – they will likely run away if they are in fear mode and it makes it even harder to safely contain them. For those who the dog knows - if you are close, don’t move toward the dog. It’s best to sit or lay down and pretend to eat something delicious (smack lips, “mmmm yum yum”), loud crinkly chip or food bags help. Avoid eye contact, stay facing sideways, and avoid making movements toward them (if needed walk in general direction in an arch). If they move toward you, ignore them and then drop some food/treats! If you reach for them too soon, they may run off again. Be cautious offering a large reward for a scared dog on the run – it can hurt the dog’s chances of being safely recovered (people are more likely to call out and chase/follow the dog for a reward, which can cause the dog to run farther away or continue hiding). Eye-catching, clear flyers with the dog’s photo, your phone number in big font, and phrases like “scared- do not whistle at or chase” and “contact owner with sightings immediately” can help prevent even well-meaning people from scaring the dog more (and accidentally setting the dog running blindly into the road/traffic). The more people who go search the greater the chance that the dog will be scared away again.

Nikki M.

2 months ago