Steps to Take
Even when attempting to avoid an attack by a dog, the physical conflict often cannot be prevented. So then what? First, don’t panic. It is true that dogs and other animals can sense fear. Plus, your excitement can further stimulate the dog or make the animal feel more confident as the aggressor.
Stand Tall
Use your height and leverage to your advantage. When a dog approaches, stand balanced and completely still, like a tree. Initially, your goal should be to avoid further provoking the aggressive dog. If you’re fortunate, the dog will lose interest, turn, and leave. But if not…
Think Defensively, First
Protect your face and neck. Those are areas where dogs tend to inflict the most damage. Keep your body turned somewhat from the animal so you can see it over your shoulder, without staring down the animal, which can provoke it (see below). Be prepared to insert any available object into the dog’s mouth (described in more detail below), and/or use your limbs to defend your neck and face, because a deep gash on your wrist or hand is better than one on your neck or face, but curl your fingers into fists, for reasons described below.
Keep Your Balance
Don’t let the dog drag you to the ground. There, your neck, face, and genitals will be in easy reach for the jaws of a dog. Standing tall, you are in a position of strength without waving your arms around or kicking with your legs; movement of your arms and legs shows weakness and can give the attacker something to pull you off balance.
Avoid Eye Contact
Don’t let the dog see weakness in your eyes. Direct eye contact with a growling dog can appear threatening to the animal, making you look hostile. It could escalate the situation. In many cases the dog will lose interest and walk away if you ignore it.
Never Run Away
Running away can excite the dog and trigger the dog’s predator instinct to give chase and neutralize the prey. The dog may pursue you viciously even if its initial intent was playful. Further, you cannot outrun a dog on foot. If you are riding a bike, your feet and lower body are easy targets to a dog committed to attack.
How to Hold Your Body
The best advice is to stand sideways to the animal and watch it in your peripheral vision rather than facing it. Continue to keep in mind the fact that eye contact can be perceived as aggression on your part. Keep your extremities such has hands and fingers away from an easy nip by the dog. Curl your fingers into fists. The aggressive dog may draw very close, sniffing you, without actually biting.
Offer the Dog another Choice
If the animal continues to menace you, offer the dog something else to chew on, such as your backpack or water bottle. Either of those is better than your hand, arm, or leg. This can also buy you time get away.
You May Have No Choice But to Stand and Fight
Your may have no choice but to stand and fight. Do so from a position of strength. Face the dog and command, “back away.” If the dog continues to behave aggressively, and ignoring or pacifying him is no longer working, face him and sternly command him to leave. Continue to avoid making eye contact.
Once the Dog Has Committed to Lunging, Stand and Fight
Dog attacks can be life threatening. If a dog is biting you, you must defend yourself. Do what you can to deter the dog. Strike it in the throat, nose, and the back of the skull. If you are fortunate, this may stun the dog and give you time to get away from the situation.
It’s OK to Shout at This Stage
Shout for assistance as you fight back. Ideally another may hear; there is safety in numbers.
Grab a Weapon
Use anything: a rock, tree branch, anything. If the dog is not stunned from your first attempts to lash out, hitting the dog over the head may not help. Dogs have thick skulls, and striking is head repeatedly may only work to set its jaws in your flesh and further anger the dog. Pry at its jaw and eyes. Sticking something else in the dog’s mouth may cause it to gag or release the grip of its jaws. If you are attacked by multiple animals, go for each dogs’ eyes, nose and limbs will prove most effective, contrasted with trying to tackle or crush one animal at a time. In a group or pack, the dogs will attack as a unit; if they believe they are unable to succeed, the group will quit.
Take Defensive Measures
Always keep this in mind: shield your face, chest, and throat. These are the most vulnerable areas of your body, and where a bit will render the most damage.
What Not To Do
Dog’s love a game of pulling. If you are attacked by a dog, you should never try to yank yourself away or pull away from the dog. This causes the dog to hold on even tighter. Hitting the dog will also not be of much help as dogs are much stronger than you think. What you should do is try to find a stick or something similar that you can put into the mouth of the dog. This makes the dog feel gagged and he will let go of you.
Use Your Weight to Your Advantage
If you cannot readily stun the dog and make it loosen its grip, lean your body weight on the dog. Try to push into the dog with your elbows or knees. Dogs attack by biting. They are not designed for wrestling. You can use your leverage to hurt the animal and possibly break its bones. Get on top of the dog and focus your energy on areas including the throat or ribs. Do this while keeping your face out of biting range.
When Possible, Remove Yourself From the Situation
Step away from the dog when it loses interest in you. Your nerves will have you excited. Staying cool may prove to be a challenge, but it’s your best defense.
Attend to Your Injuries
If you do get bitten, be sure to take care of any wounds promptly, as even minor bites can cause infection. See a medical professional promptly if you suffer serious wounds or if you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years. You may also need to get rabies shots.
Other Information
Other information is provided on this blog about what to do following an attack. Click here for what to do following a dog bite in terms of medical attention, reporting the injury, and seeking legal advice. Contact a skilled Pittsburgh lawyer if you or your child has suffered the results of a dog bite and is seeking needs compensation. Our law firm is here to help any time.