What to Do If You’re Attacked by a Dog
I read somewhere recently on Medium, about what to do if you are attacked by a dog, and it had something to do with pushing your arm further into the dogs mouth. Now, I am allergic to dogs, so not had an upbringing with dogs, but have encountered a scenario with a couple of dogs, which luckily ended up with me just being nipped but no skin broken. I wouldn’t normally write about this, but it's been playing on my mind because I can’t see myself being able to do just push my arm further into a dogs mouth. Although, anything is possible for the last resort.
I can’t remember what i had for lunch 2 days ago, but I can remember this happened on a Tuesday afternoon, I was taking photos in my local woods, , when a couple of dogs walked past, they hadn’t seen me, and as I stood up, one of the dogs was startled, and both dogs came for me. My heart raced, it was a scary scenario , and today, I’m here to share what I learned from that heart-pounding experience — what to do if you’re attacked by a dog, by a non expert and a bit of research.
Understanding the Why Behind the Growl
First off, let’s get to the heart of why a dog might decide to attack. Dogs can be triggered by fear, protection instincts, or even pain ( in my case startled). Understanding this can help us empathize with our four-legged friends, even in the midst of a frightening encounter.
Step-by-Step: Handling a Dog Attack
Now, let’s dive into the meat of the matter — what you should actually do if you find yourself facing an aggressive dog.
Stay Calm and Move Slowly
Your first instinct might be to run, but that can trigger the dog’s chase reflex. Instead, stay as calm as you can and move slowly. This I did but there was fear on my face.
Avoid Eye Contact
Staring a dog down can be seen as a challenge. Look away and keep your posture non-threatening. This is hard, as I know I stared at the dogs to keep an eye on them as they darted in and out.
Distract and Distance:
If you can, put something between you and the dog — a jacket, a bag, anything that can act as a shield. Slowly create distance as you find a way to safety. It was natural of me to hold my camera bag in between myself and the dogs.
Protect Yourself
If an attack is inevitable, make yourself less accessible. Curl into a ball, protect your head and neck, and keep your hands in fists to protect your fingers. I didn’t need to get to this stage.
What Not to Do
Equally important is knowing what not to do. Never scream, run or wave your arms, as this can further excite the dog. And remember, fighting back the dog can worsen an already volatile situation.
After the Encounter
If you’ve been bitten, seek medical attention immediately, even if the injury seems minor. Dog bites can lead to serious infections. Report the incident to local authorities so they can handle the situation and possibly prevent future attacks. In my case it was through jeans, didn’t break the skin and I had startled the dog so nothing was reported, on reflection, if the dog in the future attacked a young child that had startled it, I could not forgive myself.
Personal Reflections
Looking back, I can laugh a bit at my frozen, statue-like stance as the dogs came at me, but it was no laughing matter at the moment. This experience taught me the importance of awareness and preparedness, which can make all the difference.
Summary
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, remember these steps: stay calm, avoid aggression, protect yourself, and seek help afterwards. Now, I’d love to hear from you — have you ever had a run in with a dog? What did you do? Drop your stories or thoughts in the comments below. Let’s share and learn from each other’s experiences!
