What To Do If A Dog Is Going to Attack

One of the best ways to avoid a serious dog attack is to recognize when a dog is going to attack and defuse it before it starts. Like humans, dogs have body language that shows when they feel threatened or aggressive. If a dog goes rigid and starts watching you closely, or suddenly looks away, that's a sign that it's feeling nervous and sees you as a threat. A nervous dog may also show a lot of teeth, stop panting or have hair sticking up. It may stand with its feet wide, as if it's about to run away -- because it's scared of you, too.

Whatever you do, do not scream or run away, even if that's your first impulse. As pursuit predators, dogs instinctively run after people who flee them or make any sudden moves. Don't approach and try to make friends with the dog either. Instead, stand very still and look as confident as you can. Make eye contact for a moment, then yell orders at the dog in the loudest, most confident voice you can muster: "NO! BACK! GO HOME!" What you say matters less than the tone of your voice. If the dog doesn't run away from that, maintain a confident posture, continuing to yell loudly. If you think you are in the area the dog considers its territory, back very slowly out of it.

If you're dealing with a (poorly) trained attack dog, there may not be much you can do to avoid fighting it. If you can't climb a tree or put a fence between you and the dog, you may be bitten. Offer the dog an object you're carrying, like a book or a jacket, or your left forearm, and when it runs for you, try to dodge at the last minute or kick it as it passes. If you are bitten, move the bitten area slowly toward the dog rather than away, in order to minimize tearing wounds. If the attack becomes serious, curl into a ball to protect your face and neck.

If you regularly pass by a large and aggressive dog whose owner cannot be convinced to restrain it, experts suggest that you bring pepper spray, a large walking stick or both. Take them out as you walk past the place where the dog lives. These tools can also help owners of less aggressive dogs deflect attacks from stray dogs. If shouting doesn't defect the attacking dogs, hit them with the stick as many times as necessary, then spray pepper spray directly into the dogs' noses.

Dog bite attacks can be devastating, causing serious injuries, disability, disfigurement or even death. If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dangerous dog, you have the legal right to hold the owner responsible for your physical, financial and emotional damages. It's important to consult a qualified dog bite attorney as soon as possible after the attack to protect your legal right to sue.

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