BC SPCA is warning Richmondites to be careful of two dogs spotted around Garden City Park at Garden City Road and Granville Avenue.
Animal control officers have been patrolling the park daily to try to catch the dogs and bring them into BC SPCA's care but to no avail, explained Krista Shaw, manager of BC SPCA's Richmond animal shelter.
She added "very little information is known" about the dogs, which have been spotted near the bike terrain park and in the wooded area north of the lagoon.
The two dogs are large in size, beige in colour with darker muzzles and ears and are suspected to be Shepherd crosses. Both of them are wearing collars and one appears to have a leash attached.
BC SPCA is bringing in "additional resources" from across the organization and from surrounding communities, and it asks that community members exercise caution around the dogs.
“We appreciate that community members may want to help us bring these animals to safety, but we are asking members of the public to keep their distance and not to try luring the dogs with food or treats because that can actually hinder our efforts, not to mention put yourself at risk," said Shaw.
Community members should be aware of their surroundings and keep children close and animals on a leash, especially on the trails and areas where the dogs have been spotted.
In case of an encounter with one or both dogs, BC SPCA advises community members to walk away slowly either backward or sideways while keeping the dogs in view.
"Do not run, scream, wave your arms around or stare at the dogs, as this can be interpreted as aggressive behaviour by the animals," reads BC SPCA's media release.
"If possible, try to keep another object between you and the dogs such as an umbrella or a bike."
Anyone with information about these dogs’ owner(s), has an encounter with the dogs or has witnessed any animal become caught in one of the BC SPCA’s traps should call animal control dispatch at 604-709-4668.
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