Mayo County Council issue advice on keeping your dog safe this Halloween

Mayo County Council have issued advice for keeping your dog safe this Halloween.

A dog's hearing is almost four times more sensitive than humans, therefore they become frightened and scared when fireworks go off and will run away to try and find safety if left outside.

At this time of year, the number of calls received to the Veterinary Office about stray or missing dogs increases.

Mayo County Council recommended the following steps for ensuring your pet’s safety tomorrow night:

• Exercise your dog earlier in the day.
• Keep them on a lead at all times when outside.
• Make sure they are wearing a collar with an ID tag with your contact number on it.
• Check your dog’s microchip details are up-to-date. Having your dog microchipped is a legal requirement.  
• Keep your dog inside during fireworks, with someone to keep them company.
• Close all doors, windows and curtains.
• Play calming music to mask the noises outside.
• If your dog is sensitive to loud noises or flashing lights, make them an area that they can retreat to where they can feel safe, i.e. a crate with a blanket over it, a cardboard box or under a table with a blanket covering it. Don’t try to coax them out, they will come out when they feel safe.
• Give them something to do, play with their favourite toy, or give them a treat to chew on.

If your dog goes missing, or you find a dog contact the Dog Warden Service at Mayo County Council on 094 9064000 or your local Garda Station giving them a description of the dog, where it went missing/found and your contact details.