Ok, so there's a Lab that lives about two blocks from mine, and showed up at our house one day with no collar, so naturally we drove around and finally found it's owner. Now it apparently got loose again, came back but this time it has a tag on it. The worst part though was there was a thunderstorm and the dog was absolutely soaked, which means it was left outside during this storm. What should I do? Should I just hand him back over to his owner, or call someone about it? Thanks again for your time.
During storms I just keep strays in the garage then in the morning when the weather is better I let them out.
I had a similar situation in college. A guy down the street had this dog that constantly wondered the neighborhood. She would get in people's trash so I'm guessing they stopped feeding her. I started putting water out and one day it finally approached me so I could pet her. At that time the owner drove by and yelled, "you want her? you can keep her", so I did. Best dog i ever had...once I got her to stop eating trash.
If you turn dogs into a shelter, BARC is the best one - as they do everything in their power to adopt them out. The staff there is great and also look for foster homes when possible. http://houstontx.gov/barc/BARC-Home-Page
Why would you take a dog to BARC when it has a tag and you actually know where it lives from past encounters? I think the OP is asking if he should call Animal Control vs the owner, for some odd reason. I mean, it's not like the dog is playing basketball in the driveway all alone or anything like that. OP, just help out the owner and give him/her a call to pick the dog up.
Just pointing out that if you are going to turn a dog in that BARC is the place to do it. Animal Control and the SPCA don't put in as much work to adopt out dogs.
I take responsibility for non-stray dogs in my neighborhood and always get **** from the owners when they find me in their home. So I recommend not being there when they get home, and don't leave the empty beer bottles in the sink.
Most of the time the dog will eventually go home. Hell dogs want to walk around and visit and check out what's going on. People always bringing them inside holding them up, taking them to the shelter. Leave them alone, talk them, pet them give em a cold drink.
