Every year, thousands of people worldwide are attacked by dogs. According to Dogsbite.org, from 2005 to 2018, more than 500 Americans have died due to a dog bite or attack.
More than 66% of dog attacks have been attributed to pitbulls. Golden retrievers are responsible for the majority of bites when it comes to children, but that doesn’t mean they are dangerous. If you happen to live in Los Angeles, a California dog bite lawyer can be your savior in such situations as they are quite common there.
According to the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants, no breed is more aggressive than the other. Having said that, you need to remember that dogs rarely attack before giving a fair warning. Therefore, If you see any of these signs, you should assume that the dog is ready to attack:
- Snapping and growling
- Aggressive tail wagging
- Back hair standing
- Showing teeth
- Stiff and rigid body
If you encounter such a situation, here are some tips you can follow in case you get attacked by a dog:
Stay Calm
If you encounter an overly aggressive dog, the first and most important thing to do is to stay calm. By that, we mean, don’t start screaming, panic, or run away from the dog. Any aggressive dog looks for a trigger it can act upon. Try staying calm and control your anxiety; the dog might get confused and slow down.
Assert your dominance
In case you manage to stay calm and assert your dominance, avoid staring at the dog. Instead, if you have something in your hand, use it as a divider between you and the dog. This will help the aggressor understand who’s in charge.
When he understands that you don’t feel threatened, the dog will eventually lose interest and go away. However, it may not always work out.
Drop your head
If you try dropping your head, the dog might think you are submissive and not even attack you. This can be a great trick if you encounter a dog in Los Angeles.
Avoid getting bit in the face
No matter what you do, sometimes some dogs might attack you and bite you. Do everything you can to avoid getting bit in the face. The worst dog bite injuries are the ones that involve your face or head. Try to use your hands to cover your face while using your elbows to protect your vital organs.
Don’t fight back
Sometimes, people try to fight an aggressive dog. While it may work, most of the time, attacking a dog will usually result in the dog getting angrier. Even staying completely still can stop the attack altogether. It is because the dog will think you are dead.
Carry a stick or a cane
The most vulnerable section is people without any form of defense. Carry a stick or a cane with you when going for a walk. While it may not always go the way you want, it might slow it down if you put something between you and the dog.
Try to hit them in the throat or face
If a dog bites you and attacks you no matter what you do, try to hit them in the face or target their throat. In case you successfully manage to deal a blow, chances are pretty high that the dog might back down.
Never run away
When attacked by a dog in Los Angeles, make sure you don’t run away from the dog. This gives them a sense of superiority. More than 90% of dogs are not hesitant to attack or bite if the human in front of them runs away from them.
We know it can be hard not to back off since it is a natural reaction; try to stay calm and scare away the dog.
Take a treat with you
If you live in a neighborhood in Los Angeles with a lot of dogs, try taking a treat with you. If an aggressive dog approaches you, giving them a treat will confuse the dog and make them feel that you are not a threat. This will also give you time to either walk away or take command of the situation.
Try calling out to the owner
Sometimes, all you should do is call out to the owner. If the dog is trained, the chances are high that it will back off once the owner orders him to do so.
Conclusion
While it is not always easy to avoid a dog bite or attack, we hope these tips will help you de-escalate the situation and avoid confrontation altogether. Do you think we missed something? Let us know in the comment section.