Recently, a magazine dedicated to running offered tips on how to avoid being attacked by a dangerous dog. These tips are crucial to avoiding dog bites and severe injuries they can cause.
According to the article, what happens if and when an unleashed vicious acting dog approaches a runner, depends on how the runner reacts. Conveying a sense of calm is very important. Here are the tips:
1. VOICE: Use a deep, firm voice to convey a sense of calm. A high pitched, “shrieking” voice conveys fear and may trigger the dog’s “fight” instinct.
2. POSITION: Stand tall, face the animal, and slowly and calmly back away. Do not turn and run–that will make you appear to be “prey” and encourage the dog to chase.
3. EYES: Watch the dog out of the corner of your eye, without direct eye contact. Direct eye contact can be interpreted as aggression by the dog and lead to an attack.
4. BODY LANGUAGE: A relaxed, upright posture conveys a sense of authority. Cowering may trigger a “prey” response in the dog and assuming a combative posture may initiate an attack.
5. WATER/MACE: Carry a spray bottle of water or carry mace. The article states, “(Mace) sounds terrible, but it doesn’t hurt the dog, and you’re teaching it not to be so aggressive.”
For more information, contact the Ohio dog bite attorneys at Clark, Perdue & List.
Source: Runner’s World, “Mean Dogs Bite,” Christie Aschwanden, September 2010.