An unattended service dog is a sign its owner needs help.

If you see a dog in a harness without its owner nearby, it may mean its handler is in trouble, and the dog is seeking help. If a service dog nudges you with its nose or barks at you with no owner in sight, don't stop to pet it or shoo it away. Follow the dog to find its owner as soon as possible. After identifying the situation, and if necessary, call 911 immediately. Source: Guide Dogs of America, 2021. // Paws of War, 2021. Photo by Chuck Wagner from Shutterstock.