Dog forces man to shelter inside car

A dog running at large Monday morning on Agua Fría Street forced a man to take shelter in his vehicle, according to a report from the Santa Fe Animal Services Division.

The tan-and-white heeler mix was captured by officers and taken to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society, according to the report — one of three complaints Monday about loose dogs in the city.

Reports on the other two incidents, one at 1:30 p.m. on Valentine Loop and the other around 6:30 p.m. at the dog park on Caja del Rio Road, were not yet available.

Santa Fe animal control ordinances require all animals to be physically restrained at all times. “Voice command is not an acceptable form of restraint,” an ordinance says. Dog parks are an exception, and all animals, except service animals, are banned from Cathedral Park.

Murad Kirdar, an animal shelter spokesman, said he was aware of Monday’s incidents, which he said are not uncommon. Kirdar said anyone encountering a strange dog should:

Ignore it. Oftentimes, a dog is on its own mission and will leave people alone.

Move slowly. Don’t run from the dog, or you may attract more attention.

Carry a product such as Pet Corrector, which is compressed air. The sound of the device likely will frighten the dog away.

If you have your own dog with you, it is best have to have control of your pet and put yourself between your dog and the strange dog until it leaves.

Call animal services if you see a loose dog.