The vast majority of dogs are gentle companions that shower their owners with love, protection, and support. However, they’re still animals, and in certain situations, wild and aggressive tendencies can come out of some individuals.
Dogs bite around 4.5 million people a year in the United States. These attacks can range from quick bites to vicious attacks. Regardless of the severity, a dog attack can be one of the scariest moments of a person’s life.
Although you may not ever be bit by a dog, knowing what to do if a dog attacks you is still a good idea.
Keep reading to learn all about how to survive a dog attack.
Escape the Situation
Aggressive dogs usually make their feelings towards you clear. When they do, this is the time to take preemptive action to stop the attack from occurring in the first place.
If you see a dog acting aggressively toward you, try to ignore it as much as possible. Stay still, cross your arms, and avoid looking at it.
If you’re able to, get to a place where there is a barrier between you and the dog.
Avoid Egging It on
It’s tempting to communicate with the dog, especially if it doesn’t appear to be backing down. Understand that doing so can cause the situation to escalate.
Try your best to stay still. If there are people nearby, call out for help, but make sure you don’t shout.
Sudden movements or loud noises can cause the dog’s adrenaline to shoot up. This, in turn, can lead to an attack.
Protect Yourself
If the dog does end up lunging towards you, try your best to get out of the situation. Look for high ground or a place that causes the dog to be beneath you. It’ll have a much harder time hurting you from below.
Try your best to redirect the dog’s bites from your skin towards an object. This can be anything from a purse to a jacket.
Again, avoid screaming, as this can further increase the ferocity of the dog.
Deal With the Aftermath
Whether you manage to escape the situation or someone comes to help you, make sure you don’t have any injuries. If you do, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If you sustained injuries, you might want to consider suing the owner of the dog. Just make sure that you understand what the law says so that your case ends up being successful.
Understand What to Do if a Dog Attacks You
We hope that you never have to decide what to do if a dog attacks you. However, having a general idea of how to act is always a good idea.
If you can, avoid being in a dangerous situation with a dog in the first place. If that doesn’t work, follow the tips laid out in this guide to stay safe.
Did this article help you better understand how to stop a dog from attacking you? If it did, remember to check out the rest of our site for more helpful articles.
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