This has probably happened to you before: crossing paths with a frightened animal walking alone along a national road, or even discovering a paralyzed dog (or cat) in a ditch. Immediately, you have only one idea: to rescue him. However, this act, as valiant as it is, is not necessarily within everyone’s reach.
Heini Hediger’s rules for finding his pet. Source: spm
“Before any intervention, you must impose an emotional distance on yourself, advises David Roussin, president and trainer of Huma-nimal. Ask yourself: “Am I able to go? Alone in front of a possibly injured animal, will I not be afraid?” This question is crucial, do not listen to your heart without thinking, be realistic! Can you overcome your stress and fear? The animal will feel them. He risks either fleeing and perhaps creating an accident, or attacking. » Take the time to reflect and observe the situation while remaining where you are. Keep as much distance as possible from the animal, as movement can scare it away or lead to an interaction you are not prepared for.
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A playful cat. Source: spm
Not going is not doing nothing
“If you decide not to intervene, do not feel guilty! It is not a failure, you have the right not to act, underlines David Roussin. It is mature behavior to admit that you are not able to rescue him without generating risks. Never force yourself to act if you don’t feel it. Not physically rescuing an animal does not mean doing nothing. “Take a photo, then mark off an area to protect it from people approaching. Finally, call the emergency services (112, 17, municipal police) who will be able to intervene, ”continues the president of Humanimal. If you are near a road, remember that only the gendarmerie and the police can stop traffic. If you do, you will have to take responsibility for your action.
Know the areas of social interaction
“Before any intervention, you must be aware of the risks and know what the Swiss biologist Heini Hediger calls the “zones of social interaction” (see diagram below)”, explains David Roussin. They are three in number :
The secure or social zone: humans and animals move regarding and lead their lives there;
The safety or flight zone: it starts at 10 m for the dog and 1 m for the cat. If you enter it, two options are looming: the animal runs away or approaches, which may be the case of the dog which is sociable, but never of the cat. In this space, you must be attentive to his behavior, because he will communicate with you by emitting warning signals (see box). These signs are crucial. You have to decode them, because usually the animal tells you not to go any further. Whether you continue or not is up to you.
The critical zone: for the dog, it extends from 1.5 m to 3 m. For the cat, it starts at 50 cm. If the animal does not have the opportunity to flee, it goes on the attack. Even more so if he sent you signals telling you not to approach.
decide to step back
You have entered the flight zone, you have decoded the warning signals sent by the animal and you decide wisely to stop your action. “Faced with a dog, never turn your back on him to leave, because this behavior awakens predation in him. Always keep an eye on him without looking him in the eye, then slowly back away from the area. Faced with a cat, step back while remaining on your guard. As long as you haven’t left the safe zone, you are in his territory and he can attack. Outside the area, remember to notify the emergency services. »
Protect yourself to approach
If, despite the warning signs, you continue to move towards the critical zone, “do it without running, moving forward from the side, never from the front, nor from the back, warns the expert. Never look the dog in the eye and above all control your intonation! Speak out loud in a neutral tone, without shouting – synonymous with aggression – and without being in high pitches – synonymous with intimidation. This monotone tone will de-stress you and the animal. Halfway, extend your hand. If the animal is calm and seeks contact, you can touch it. But never the head (social positioning zone) nor the neck (predation zone) with the dog, and never the neck with the cat. To avoid any misinterpretations, prefer contact by the shoulder. David Roussin wishes to clarify: “Remember that pain – if the animal is injured – or stress can modify its behavior. So don’t let your guard down, even and especially if it’s your lost pet that you pick up somewhere. The English behavioral veterinarian Kendal Shepherd, expert in the analysis of stress in dogs, explains it clearly: “Pain often turns the escape session into an attack. » If, in front of your outstretched hand, the animal chains the warning signals, but you do not listen to them and you move forward, do so with protections in order to limit scratches and bites on vital areas. “Faced with a cat, protect your neck and head, informs David Roussin. Take leather gloves or use a thick jacket by rolling your hands up the sleeves. In any case, never approach an animal with bare arms. » Then grab the cat by the scruff of the neck, also controlling its paws, and place it in a transport crate or cardboard box. “Facing a dog, protect your neck with a scarf, put on leather gloves, then wrap a jacket or a thick towel around your motor arm to create a kind of protective “cuff”. When the dog is regarding to pounce to bite you, try to place this “cuff” in its mouth, to prevent it from biting you elsewhere. »
If you are in this position, do not stimulate the dog. “In 90% of cases, a rescue goes well if the warning signs are understood and respected. You must accept that the animal may refuse your help, your safety depends on it,” concludes David Roussin.
The warning signals sent by the dog
Gaze or body averting, licking nose, blinking, yawning, spiky back hair, flattened ears, body stiff forward, tail touching back with rapid movements, lips rolled up, growling, staring with dilated pupils …
Alert signals sent by the cat
Averting of the gaze or body, licking nose, shoulder or paw, purring, rear posture curled up and ready to pounce, low tail with jerky movements, arched back and swollen body, stepping aside, curled lips, growls, ears flattened backwards, gaze fixed, pupils dilated…
Little reminder
A stray animal is identified (chip, tattoo), but moves without its master.
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The owner is responsible for any accident he may cause (art. 1385 of the rural code).
An animal is said to be “stray” when it is unidentified. The criminal liability of the mayor is engaged in the event of an accident.
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