Missing South Boston chihuahua dead after well meaning bystander tries to chase after her and she runs into traffic

Boston Animal Control and Care is advising people to not try to chase potentially loose pets because they could bolt and wind up dead, as happened yesterday in South Boston to a chihuahua that had earlier been reported missing along Day Boulevard.

Yesterday we were called out regarding this stray chihuahua in South Boston. Unfortunately, before we arrived a by stander chased her in an attempt to catch her. She ran into the street and was hit by a car. She did not make it.

When you see a lost animal, DO NOT chase them. Call your local Animal Control and stand by until they arrive. When an animal becomes lost or separated from their owners, some will go into fight or flight mode. The person calling out to them or chasing them will not be seen as their owner or the good samaritan trying to help them, they will be seen as a threat. Chasing a scared animal only pushes them further away from the location they were lost, and even worse can result in situations like this.