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P.O. Box 1015 Waldorf, MD 20604-1015
Phone: 301 645-8181

Saturday, March 17, 2001. From the American Humane Association
Helping Animals Hurt On The Highway

We don't expect you to endanger your own life to save an injured animal on a busy street. But there is plenty you can do...

The Humane Society of the U.S. suggests that you:

Slow down as much as you can safely and turn on your emergency flashers. This will alert other drivers to be cautious.

Exit from the road as soon as you can and go to the nearest telephone. Call your local animal agency (for Charles County, MD call Charles County Animal Control Services in La Plata at (301) 932-1713 or call the police. Give as exact a location for the animal as you can- be sure to mention any helpful landmark.

Return to the animal only if you can do so safely, until help arrives.

Remove the animal from the road only if it is safe to do so. You can do this by sliding a blanket or several layers of newspaper under it and gently carrying it. You can calm the animal by lightly covering its head. Remember, be safe. If the animal tries to bite or struggle to get away, leave it. Not only will you be safer, but the animal may injure itself more trying to get away.