Dog-bites-man episodes are a frequent occurrence. They happen about 5.2 million times per year in the US and Canada. Luckily, dog bites are rarely lethal. But they can be especially when the person bitten is very young or very old. Last week, an elderly couple in Georgia died from injuries that authorities say were likely inflicted by a pack of wild dogs. Although not entirely preventable, the risks of dog bites can be managed. Here’s how:

Why Do Dogs Attack?

Dogs attack people for many reasons. They may be frightened or disturbed by your presence or possessive of their owner or their owner’s property. This is especially true of dogs that are chained up or left inside vehicles.

It’s also easy to startle a dog that is sleeping, nursing her pups or eating, prompting an attack. A dog in pain because of illness or injury may also bite, even if you’re trying to help it. And an old dog may be startled by your approach because of poor vision or hearing.

Signs that a Dog May be Ready to Attack

Some dog attacks come out of the blue, but in many other cases, the dog is giving off warning signs, such as these:

• Barking, snarling or growling
• Raised fur or hackles
• Body stiffening
• A high tail
• Ears standing up
• Has its tail between its legs or its head low or body crouched

Other kinds of behavior can signal trouble, too. For example, an unexpectedly quiet dog may be dangerous because some dogs are bred to give no warning of an attack. And by the way, a wagging tail is not always a friendly gesture.

What Not to Do Around an Aggressive Dog

If an aggressive dog approaches you, don’t try to scare it away by yelling. Doing so may frighten the dog into attacking you. However, saying, “Good boy, go home” may prevent an attack.

Never try to run away from an aggressive dog. He can easily outrun you and is very likely to attack.

What Should You Do Around an Aggressive Dog?

If you suspect that a dog is hostile and about to attack, stand completely still with your hands by your sides. Do not make eye contact with the dog, since it may interpret eye contact as a challenge.

If you remain still, the dog may lose interest in you and you may be able to back away SLOWLY. Don’t turn your back on the dog.

Should the dog attack you, firmly saying “no”, “stop” or “sit” may buy you some time. If the attack proceeds, try to put something in its mouth; feed the dog anything but yourself. Let it take your jacket or purse, or use a chair or other object to keep some space between the animal and yourself. If you carry pepper spray or an expandable self-defense baton, use it.

If you have no weapon or object that can be placed between you and the dog, kicking the dog hard in the muzzle or jamming your fingers into its eyes, cruel as it sounds, may stop the attack.

If the dog knocks you down, curl yourself into a ball with the vulnerable parts of your body on the ground and your hands over your face and neck. Try to stay as still as possible. Yell for help.

If you walk or work in places where you might encounter strange dogs, carry something to protect yourself, such as pepper spray or a baton, and a whistle to sound a call for help

What Should You Do If a Dog Bites You?

If you are bitten, wash the wound with soapy water and seek medical care promptly. Get a description of the dog and the direction of its travel in case rabies is suspected and the dog has to be located. Report the incident to police or the animal control agency. If the incident occurs at work, report it to your supervisor, as well.

Conclusion

Dogs that bite are acting out of their natural instincts – fearful of danger or guarding territory, food supply or young. To reduce the risk of clashes between animals and humans, it’s important to recognize the signs of danger and know how to avoid an attack. And remember that children account for approximately half of the reported cases of animal bites, so teach them how to be safe around dogs and other animals, too.

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