While dogs are often sweet and loving animals, they have the ability to cause serious harm if they attack. While these attacks are often unexpected, there are ways to help prevent such incidents and to identify threats. While it is impossible to be 100% safe against dog attacks, the following tips can help reduce the likelihood of one happening to you or your family.
- To protect children: To prevent child dog bite injury, teach them to never approach a dog on their own, even if the handler is present. Children should ask their parent and the dog handler for permission to pet the dog, lightly pet the side of the dog’s neck, and tuck in their hands and avoid eye contact if the animal is loose or excited.
- When encountering unknown dogs: Never stare into their eyes, put your face up to their face, go near them when they are eating or drinking, try to take something away from them, or approach and pet them when they are tied up, behind a fence, or in a car.
- Special circumstances: Do not try to break up a fight between dogs or interact with dogs that are sleeping, resting, very old, injured, or with puppies, as they will be naturally more defensive and could attack.
- If attacked: Curl up on the ground with your legs tucked under you, your head facing the ground, and your hand behind your head to protect your face and neck.
Identifying Canine Body Language
These are some easy-to-spot signs that will show you the attitude of a dog:
- Dangerous dog: Ears forward, mouth closed, and an intense look on his or her face.
- Safe dog: Panting, happy-looking, and wagging his or her tail with enthusiasm.
- About to bite: Growling, baring teeth, raising back fur, frozen in place and staring, and/or holding his or her tail high in the air.
While all of these steps can help prevent dog bites, such attacks may still occur and could result in serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been harmed by another’s dog, the Scottsdale dog bite injury attorneys with The Breyer Law Office, P.C. can represent you in your injury lawsuit. For more information, call our offices at (480) 753–4534 for a free case consultation.
