Dog bites have been in the news again, renewing concerns for a change in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (DDA) to be updated. Many instances of dangerous dogs come from poor ownership, unfortunately this is a problem which isn't going to go away any time soon so it's advisable to know what to do in the event of a dog attack.
Dog bites are a very frightening experience, and even the most experienced dog handlers can react in the wrong way when placed in the situation. So what should you do if a dog comes towards you threatening to attack.
The below is general advice given by many leading authorities.
Firstly what are the signs that a dog is going to attack? Most dogs are not going to attack, if a dog comes towards you with their head high or low they are probably just coming to say hello, its a level head you need to watch for. The dogs body language will be the first tell tale sign that something isn't right. A dog who is in an agitated state will be up on all fours, legs pin straight, the head will be up with erect ears. If a dog is going to attack they will crouch down low to the ground, the hackles may be raised, the eyes will be wide with the whites showing.
If you see a dog like this DO NOT RUN! Dogs love to chase things, it's their prey drive kicking in and you will just become prey to them, and they can run a lot faster than you! Don't stand and face the dog and don't shout as this will just excite the dog.
Instead we want to diffuse the situation so try and remain calm, the old adage is true, dog's can sense your fear; stand with your body side on, don't stare at the dog and if you can walk away slowly. If you can fold your arms, do so but do it calmly and slowly.
If the dog is too close for you to walk away, curl yourself in a ball protecting your head with your arms. Again do this slowly, in this position the dog will only be able to attack areas of the body which have thicker skin, protecting the vital areas.
If you can feed the dog something, such as a coat or shirt this may buy you some time, often dogs will just want to bite something not necessarily your skin.
The easiest way to remember this piece of valuable information is to stand like a tree or to roll up like a stone.
If a dog does get hold of your skin do not tug away (although this will go against your natural desire), instead try and put all your weight on the dog using your elbows and knees, dogs are unable to wrestle and this should give you an advantage. Try to get on top of the animal keeping as far away from the dogs mouth as possible.
If the dog is attacking someone else, pick it up by the hind legs and move it away from the victim.
All this advice is hard to use in the heat of the moment, but even if all you remember is to stay calm for as long as you can you may diffuse the attack.
Most importantly owners need to train and socialise their dogs, by all dogs being trained and socialised this will reduce the incidence of dog bites.
Dog bites are a very frightening experience, and even the most experienced dog handlers can react in the wrong way when placed in the situation. So what should you do if a dog comes towards you threatening to attack.
The below is general advice given by many leading authorities.
Firstly what are the signs that a dog is going to attack? Most dogs are not going to attack, if a dog comes towards you with their head high or low they are probably just coming to say hello, its a level head you need to watch for. The dogs body language will be the first tell tale sign that something isn't right. A dog who is in an agitated state will be up on all fours, legs pin straight, the head will be up with erect ears. If a dog is going to attack they will crouch down low to the ground, the hackles may be raised, the eyes will be wide with the whites showing.
If you see a dog like this DO NOT RUN! Dogs love to chase things, it's their prey drive kicking in and you will just become prey to them, and they can run a lot faster than you! Don't stand and face the dog and don't shout as this will just excite the dog.
Instead we want to diffuse the situation so try and remain calm, the old adage is true, dog's can sense your fear; stand with your body side on, don't stare at the dog and if you can walk away slowly. If you can fold your arms, do so but do it calmly and slowly.
If the dog is too close for you to walk away, curl yourself in a ball protecting your head with your arms. Again do this slowly, in this position the dog will only be able to attack areas of the body which have thicker skin, protecting the vital areas.
If you can feed the dog something, such as a coat or shirt this may buy you some time, often dogs will just want to bite something not necessarily your skin.
The easiest way to remember this piece of valuable information is to stand like a tree or to roll up like a stone.
If a dog does get hold of your skin do not tug away (although this will go against your natural desire), instead try and put all your weight on the dog using your elbows and knees, dogs are unable to wrestle and this should give you an advantage. Try to get on top of the animal keeping as far away from the dogs mouth as possible.
If the dog is attacking someone else, pick it up by the hind legs and move it away from the victim.
All this advice is hard to use in the heat of the moment, but even if all you remember is to stay calm for as long as you can you may diffuse the attack.
Most importantly owners need to train and socialise their dogs, by all dogs being trained and socialised this will reduce the incidence of dog bites.
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