If you’re approached by a dog that seems dangerous or aggressive, you’ll need to react quickly to avoid serious injury. A dog bite can be very dangerous, especially if it gets infected. This situation is something to take very seriously.
The first thing to do is to refrain from running or making any loud noises. Your instinct might be to yell at the dog or run away from it as quickly as you can. But these instincts are counterproductive. Dogs have a chase instinct themselves, and running away likely will just rile the dog up even more than it is already, making a bite scenario more likely.
What else should you do?
Certainly, staying calm is important, but here are a number of key things to keep in mind:
- Turn to the side to create a smaller profile
- Do not meet the dog’s eyes, as the dog may see that as a sign of aggression
- If you’re holding something, such as a purse or a jacket, try to put it between the two of you
- If you need to, you can even give this item to the dog as it tries to lunge, and it will often attack the item so that you can leave without injury
- Remember that dogs are territorial, so it is a good idea to back away from the dog’s territory slowly
- If possible, try to get behind a nearby car or a trashcan on the street, putting anything you can in between you and the dog
Overall, you just want to stay calm and collected, talking to the dog in a soothing voice. Then you can slowly back away. Even if the dog is still barking and acting aggressively, this will often prevent it from attacking. Once you have left its territory, it will hopefully leave you alone.
These tips are very helpful and can be quite effective. But there’s no guarantee that you won’t be injured, and some dogs are very powerful and aggressive. If you do suffer serious injuries due to a bite, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation from the dog’s owner. Speaking with an experienced legal professional can provide this clarity.