Avoiding Aggressive Dogs
Posted in Accident & Injury on September 27, 2021
Dogs are man’s best friend, but what happens when playful barking and biting turns aggressive. Over 4.5 million people are attacked or bitten by a dog each year, with 51% children ages 5-9. Unfortunately, children are more at risk of being bit because they have difficulty understanding dog body language and mistake aggression for excitement. Below are some safety tips for parents to keep themselves and their children safe.
6 Tips to Avoid Getting Injured
1. Remain aware of your surroundings
You never know when you will run into an aggressive dog, so being aware of your surroundings can help avoid getting injured. Avoid allowing a young child to walk away from you or play alone outside.
2. Always approach new animals with caution
Approaching a dog too quickly can make them scared and aggressive, responding immediately to the person or child. Whether familiar or not, always lead with caution allowing the dog to come to you. Dog attacks injure 1 in 5 people, and children are often seriously hurt on the face and head.
3. Do not run away from an aggressive dog
If an aggressive comes towards you, do not run as they will quickly catch up to you. Instead, put clothing and other objects between you and them to give them possible distractions to bite instead.
4. Avoid aggressive play with them
Playing aggressively with a dog can make it less likely to understand their actions. Scratching, biting, jumping, etc., are all behaviors they can inhibit when aggressive play happens, potentially causing injuries to others.
5. Understand a dog’s normal behavior
A dog’s behavior can be seen by looking at the body position and posture, whether it’s expressed with their body, hair, tail, etc. Being aware of this can help avoid getting close to a dog who may have aggression.
As a pet owner, it is essential to be responsible for the way the dog may act. Taking the necessary steps to train the dog and avoid aggressive behaviors can make an attack less likely.
What to do if Attacked
1. Treat the Wound
Cleaning the wound immediately after the incident can help avoid infection. If it is severe, immediately call 911 for treatment.
2. Collect Information from Owner
It is crucial to gather the necessary information from the owner, including vaccination history and contact information for both the owner and their veterinarian.
3. Consult a Doctor
A doctor will be able to run tests and ensure the dog bite will be appropriately treated. Around 50% of bites that occur bring bacteria into the body that could be dangerous to humans.
4. Follow Care Instructions
Following a doctor’s treatment plan is imperative to avoid any infection. This includes keeping the wound clean, applying medicine as needed, and continuously changing any bandages.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a dog bite, let Elk & Elk prove to you how our rock-solid combination of experience, resources, and determination can get you the compensation you deserve.
Call our toll-free number at 1-800-ELK-OHIO or fill out our no-cost, obligation-free online contact form.