Imagine yourself in the park, while you are running or cycling. Suddenly a ferocious dog runs towards you growling. What do you do? There are a wrong way and a right way to handle a dog attack. Protect your own safety by staying calm and taking certain steps that can help you resolve the situation.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Averting an Attack
Step 1. Don't panic
It is said that dogs and other animals can "sense fear," and that's partly true. If you get agitated and start running or screaming, the dog may feel safer and prepare for the attack, or worse, it may feel threatened. Better not to be in either of these two situations.
Step 2. Stay rigid and still
When a dog approaches, stand completely still with your hands at your sides and look away from him. Often a dog loses interest and walks away if you ignore him.
- Do not wave your arms or kick, the dog may perceive this as a threat.
- Don't look him in the eye, he might get angry and attack you.
- Stand sideways to the dog and keep him in your peripheral vision instead of facing him and looking him in the eye. This way, you will let him know that you are not a threat.
- Do not open your hands or spread your arms, the dog may bite you. Keep your fingers folded into a fist to prevent them from being bitten. The dog may approach, smell you and not bite.
Step 3. Don't rush
Running away could awaken the dog's predatory instinct. He may consider you a prey and chase you, even if his initial intent was simply playful. Also, you will hardly be able to outrun him. Even if you are on a bicycle, it is likely to reach you easily.
Step 4. Distract the dog by giving him an object of his interest
If the dog continues to be threatening, hand him something to bite, such as a backpack or a bottle of water - anything is fine, as long as it's not your arm or leg! This can distract him enough to allow you to escape.
When you have to walk in an area notoriously frequented by dangerous dogs, bring treats or toys to bite with you. If a ferocious dog approaches you, you can cast a lure far away, the dog may be interested in her instead of attacking you
Part 2 of 4: Defending Against an Attack
Step 1. Confront the dog by saying "back"
If the animal continues to behave aggressively and you realize that trying to calm or ignore him is useless, stand in front of him and order him to leave in a firm tone.
- To express confidence, the tone of voice must be strong and imperious.
- Continue to avoid eye contact.
- The dog may become discouraged and walk away feeling intimidated.
Step 2. If the dog attacks you, react
If the dog begins to bite, you will have to defend yourself. Hit him in the throat, muzzle, or behind the neck to stun him and have a chance to walk away.
- At this point, it's okay to raise your voice a little. Call for help as you fight, someone may hear you and come to your aid. However, avoid screaming, the dog may get even more angry and attack with greater enthusiasm.
- If you have a stick handy, use it to hit the dog. Don't hit him on the head - most dogs have very thick skulls and the blows would only make him angrier. Pepper spray and tear aerosol are excellent defense tools.
- Fight hard, your life is at stake. A dog attack can be fatal. If you are attacked, use just enough force to defend yourself effectively.
Step 3. Take advantage of your weight
Bring your entire body weight to the animal, especially apply pressure with your knees and elbows. Aggressive dogs bite easily, but can get into trouble if they are engaged in a fight. Find an advantage and strike fast. Stand on top of the animal and hit it targeting its throat or ribs. Keep your face away from the paws and muzzle so you don't get hurt.
A less violent and more manageable solution is to straddle the dog to crush him to the ground and push his head down at the same time by pressing at the neck. In this way it is possible to immobilize the dog and wait for help
Step 4. If you fall to the ground, protect your face, chest and throat
Once on the ground, not only will it be difficult for you to fight, but vital parts of the body will be more vulnerable to attack. These areas of the body must be protected at all costs, because a bite taken in these points could cause serious damage and even kill you.
- Protect vital parts. Roll on yourself to turn your stomach to the ground, bend your knees and protect your ears with your hands held in fists.
- Resist the urge to scream or roll away, as doing so may encourage your dog to bite you.
Step 5. Walk away slowly
When the dog loses interest in you, move away from the place of aggression. Walk away slowly, without making any sudden movements. Staying calm when you feel threatened can be extremely difficult, but it is the best thing to do before your dog takes action.
Part 3 of 4: Managing the Consequences
Step 1. Heal all wounds
If you get bitten, treat every single wound promptly, as even less severe bites can cause infections. The basic medical procedures for treating dog bites are as follows:
- Gently press on the affected area to stop bleeding. Use a clean cloth or sterile piece of gauze. If the bleeding is severe and does not stop, see a doctor.
- Wash the wound thoroughly. Use warm soapy water to gently clean it.
- Band up the wound. Use a sterile plaster (if the wound is small) or sterile bandages.
- Check for signs of infection (redness, warmth, swelling, or pus discharge). If any of these symptoms occur, see a doctor.
Step 2. Inform the authorities
Determining whether the dog that attacked you has rabies or has already attacked other people is quite important. Call the authorities immediately after the dog's attack, so that he is prevented from harming other people and is examined to make sure he is free from disease.
- If the dog that attacked you is a stray, it could attack other people. Having him brought to a kennel is the best thing to do so that he no longer harms anyone.
- If the dog has masters, it is up to you how to handle the situation after the attack. If you have been injured, you should take legal action. The state holds owners accountable for the actions committed by their dogs.
Step 3. See a doctor immediately
If you have been bitten by an unfamiliar dog, a dog diagnosed with rabies, or one that had drool in the mouth, it is imperative that you see a doctor immediately for preventive rabies treatment. Don't forget that anger is a deadly disease.
- Rabies prophylaxis, if necessary, should begin as soon as possible after the attack.
- In most European countries, rabies has been eradicated, so undergoing rabies treatment may not be necessary if you are in Europe.
- If you have not been vaccinated against tetanus in the past five years, you can request tetanus treatment as well.
- Generally, any wounds caused by a dog attack should be examined by a doctor.
Part 4 of 4: Precautions to Take
Step 1. Look out for any warning signs
Most dogs are not aggressive, often just curious or defending what they perceive as their territory. To avoid unnecessary aggression, it is very important to understand if a dog is simply playing or is really going to attack. There are breeds that are considered aggressive by nature, but any medium or large dog can become dangerous, so pay attention to the signals that the dog transmits and do not consider one dog less dangerous than another based on the breed. Evaluate the following aspects to understand if a dog is aggressive or not:
- If the dog growls and bares its teeth it is clearly aggressive and you are in a dangerous situation.
- An aggressive dog may show the whites of the eyes (if this part of the eye is not normally visible, the dog is clearly angry).
- If the dog flattens his ears back, he is probably about to attack (usually a quiet dog has his ears raised or dangling).
- If your dog approaches you with a relaxed body, he shouldn't have aggressive intentions. Observe the back, when the dog is relaxed, it should have a slight downward curve.
- If the dog's body is taut (head, shoulders and hips aligned), it means the dog is ready to attack.
- If the dog has a hopping gait, it means that he wants to play or is simply curious. If, on the other hand, he runs without slowing down, he may be willing to attack.
Step 2. Don't provoke the dog
Most attacks are caused by poor training, lack of discipline and mistreatment. Unfortunately, there will always be bad bosses in the world, so it's always best to be prepared to handle any aggression.
- Do not disturb the dog when he eats or cares for his puppies (dogs are very protective at these times).
- Avoid smiling. You may want to show a friendly expression, but seeing the teeth, the dog may think you are ready for a fight.
- Dogs kept tethered for a long time become aggressive and are more likely to attack, better not to get too close to a tethered dog.
Step 3. Assume that a dog you don't know can be dangerous
Generally, the best way to avoid being attacked is to avoid the dog. If you notice that a dog can be dangerous, stay away from them.
- If you notice any stray or threatening-looking dogs in your neighborhood, report this to the authorities.
- Teach your kids not to approach a dog they don't know, it could be aggressive.
- By staying away from dogs you don't know, you can avoid unnecessary risks. Before approaching a dog, make sure it is friendly.
Advice
- If you are with a child and you are in the path of a dog (perhaps a large one), take the child in your arms and move slowly. Don't look the dog in the eye, especially when you bend over to pick up the baby. Ask the child to stay calm and look at you.
- Teach your children not to run if they encounter an aggressive dog, remind them that it is best to stay still.
- If you are on a bike, get off the seat and keep the bike between you and the dog for protection. If the dog attacks you, use the bicycle to defend yourself. Holding the bike by the handlebars and saddle, hit with the wheels. Don't lose your grip, otherwise you will be left unarmed.
- If you are afraid of meeting a dangerous dog, bring pepper spray or a can of compressed air with you. They are all useful tools to scare the animal. Aim for the muzzle, or at least the head or body if you are afraid of missing the target (dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell, so he should be annoyed anyway). Spray the animal repeatedly, until it stops attacking.
- Dogs perceive fear, but also the determination to defend themselves. If a dog is very aggressive, however (because he has anger or has been mistreated, for example), he could still rage against the defender.
- Never turn your back. Keep an eye on the dog, without looking directly at it. Don't try to intimidate him and don't make sudden movements. Move slowly. Do not approach or turn your back until you are sure the dog is not hostile.
- If the dog barks, keep walking to get away from the area. Do not rush and avoid any contact of glances.
- If a dog runs towards you, don't run away at all. He may not be ferocious and just wants to play. If you run away, however, he could get excited. Just because a dog runs to meet you doesn't mean they're going to attack you. Maybe he just needs affection!
- If a dog keeps his ears flat on his head, it means he is afraid. If, on the other hand, he keeps them straight and pointed forward, it can mean that he is aggressive.
Warnings
- Aggressive dog owners can be worse than the dogs themselves. If you injure or kill a dog while trying to defend yourself, leave the area immediately and call the police.
- Be careful when using pepper spray or handling a sledgehammer. The chances of hitting the dog in the face before it attacks you are slim. If you are downwind, the spray may hit you instead. Also, keep in mind that often, hitting a dog on the muzzle can only make him more angry, especially if he is ferocious.
- If the dog looks sick or becomes ill within ten days of the accident, he should be examined to make sure he does not have rabies. If you test positive, you will need to have rabies prophylaxis.
- Each dog is different and they often react unpredictably. These tips will help you in most situations, but every attack is different, so consider your case carefully and act accordingly.
- Be aware that some dog breeds wag their tails "late". Some very friendly Akitas only start wagging their tails when they are two meters away from the person they are approaching. Don't think that a dog that comes at you without wagging its tail is bound to attack you.
