Publish 12 April 2022
If you encounter a dog while walking down the street, panic is not the best defense. Prepare yourself ahead of time to react with minimal harm.
United States Dog Bite Frequency
It’s a beautiful sunny day for a walk. But the Nextdoor app is filled with reports of vicious roaming dogs that are attacking people and small pets. You may have seen a suspicious stray dog or two yourself.
You are a million times more likely to get bitten by a dog than hit by lightning. To put that in perspective, about 49 people in the U.S. are hit by lightning each year. [1] Compare this to 4.5 million U.S. citizens per year getting dog bites. [2] This dwarfs an estimated 83 thousand annual assaults. [3]
How many people live on a city block in your neighborhood? Would you say about 150? If so, two of them will experience a dog bite this year.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims (in dollars) result from dog bites or dog-related injuries, and the average cost is more than $64,555, according to 2023 statistics. [4]
The purpose of this article is not to frighten you into inactivity. But, given the frequency, you must think through how you will handle the situation. Don’t get distracted with text messages or noise-cancelling headphones while walking through the neighborhood or park. Remain alert to your surroundings.
Many people carry a special dog-bite stick, a firm walking stick at least 3- to 4-feet long, a golf club, or an umbrella. Neither provide protection if you drop them or are hesitant to use them.
Confronting a Dog
If you turn the corner and see a loose dog, stop and assess the situation. Walk the other direction if the dog is several hundred feet away and minding its own business. Otherwise, be alert to visual clues:
Can you identify the type of dog? What color is it? Has the dog made eye contact with you? (Description may be helpful later to report it.) Is the tail wagging? Is the tail tucked between its hind legs as though it is frightened? Does it have a collar? Is the owner nearby? Do you hear barking or growling? Is the dog charging towards you?
Dogs love to chase. Their four legs are designed for running. A Pitbull can reach a top speed of 30 miles per hour (mph). That’s about 100 feet in 2 seconds. The average speed of Olympic gold medalist, Usain Bolt is 23.35 mph in his prime.
You are not faster than Usain. Unless the dog is a Dachshund, Corgi, or has arthritis, the canine creature will quickly catch you in a race.
Check the door handle of a nearby parked car. It could provide a haven when unlocked. If you have physical agility and the dog is more than 500 feet (10 city residential lots) away, you might have 10–12 seconds to scale a nearby fence. It helps to know if there is a dog in the yard you choose. In this regard, it is useful to know your neighbors.
When you rule out running and climbing, the remaining option is to stand your ground. There is no one trick for every occasion. Dog temperaments differ. A docile pet sometimes escapes through an opening in the backyard fence.
In an authoritative voice, I once commanded a dog that leaped atop a 6-foot wall, “Get down!” He obeyed. It would be great if we could avert all dog attacks by ordering animals to sit!
Feral dogs may roam and kill small animals for food. This nurtures a taste for blood. A mad dog attacks with little provocation. Here are some things to consider when you come face-to-face with a loose dog.
- Do not run from a dog.
- Avoid direct eye contact if growling.
- Use dog repellant if available.
- If the dog is lunging, try to keep it at bay with a stick.
- Roll into a ball and remain motionless if you’re knocked over.
Feed the ball of a dog bite stick until you get out of a confined area with it. Things can quickly turn brutal. You may need to smack an aggressive dog upside the head with your walking stick or club in an open area.
If you are less prone to physical altercation, carry a strong umbrella. The sound and expansion can startle most dogs, with the hope that they will retreat. A downside is that umbrellas are flimsy fabric that a large aggressive animal can easily shred. Mail carriers exercise caution when entering yards and carry dog repellant.
Coyotes (prairie wolves) pose a potential danger to humans and pets. As such are a potential danger to people, especially children. Risks are minimal human behavior modification. 1. Do not feed coyotes. 2. Do not let pets run loose. 3. Do not run from a coyote. Stand your ground and make noise. [5]
Dangerous Dog Breeds
Pitbull is an ambiguous dog type. It encompasses a range of breeds that cannot be reliably identified. Formal breeds within the “Pitbull” moniker include the American Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully, and the American Staffordshire Terrier. [6]
Owners will tell you that Pitbulls are lovable pets, but they outnumber all dog breeds in total U.S. fatal attacks. With iron-like jaws, they may bite a leg to make you fall and then lunge for the torso or throat. You must be prepared to ward it off with your dog repellant spray or walking stick.
Most people lack the skills to wrestle a Pitbull. I heard growls and yelps in front of my home. In response, I ran out to find a man lying on the grass with a Pitbull in a headlock! In the background, the owner was trotting from half a block away across the street, leash in hand. The brave man was defending his Toy Fox Terrier.
You may be less fearful of a small poodle or chihuahua, but all dogs with teeth can bite. A tiny blind and deaf dog once snuck up on me and attached itself to my pant leg. I swung him side to side like a flag until the owner grabbed him.
In Turkey, the massive Kangal has a bite that is over twice as strong as a Pitbull. This beast could eat a Pitbull for lunch, and then have you as dessert.
Wild dogs traveling in packs reduce your chance of warding them off effectively. They instinctively circle their prey. For this, more than one can of spray and a stick may be necessary.
Beware of Dog Owners
The ASPCA recommends taking dogs to humane, reward-based training classes early. [7] Few pet owners comply. Their affection for dogs can be as dangerous as the animals. Owners may distract you with misinformation like, “He’s harmless” or “He won’t bite,” while the dog is charging.
More protective of the pet than people, they will tell you not to spray or harm the dog. After one firm warning to call the dog off, be prepared to defend yourself, even if it means hurting Scruffy.
I approached a man and his leashed young Pitbull walking toward me on the sidewalk. He had the dog sit as I circled them on the grass closest to the curb. Without a bark or growl, the dog lunged to snap my knee as I leaped backward into the street while the owner tugged on the leash.
It was such a close call that the dog ripped a hole in my pants without breaking the skin. Slower reflexes and the Pitbull would have had my patella as a chew toy. I told the owner that the dog should wear a muzzle. He replied that I was the first person bitten in six months of ownership. Twice a year is not a good statistic. At least he paid for a new pair of pants.
If You Are Bitten
The chance of tetanus toxemia diminishes if the dog runs toward you. A characteristic of tetanus is stiff legs. If you contract it, your muscles can stiffen. You may develop a lockjaw (trismus). [8]
Noise can invite attack from a furious rabid dog. When exhibiting the classic “mad-dog” syndrome, it becomes irritable, vicious, and aggressive. It uses teeth and claws with the slightest provocation. The posture is alert and anxious, with pupils dilated. [9]
If you are bitten, call emergency services. Doctors will dress wounds, stitch you up if necessary, and take steps to protect you against rabies or tetanus. With your description, animal control may be able to catch the dog before it harms others. Police will try to locate the owner and may help ascertain if he has dog-liability insurance.
This discussion should impress upon you the need to carry more than a toy poodle on a leash or your mobile phone and earbuds when strolling through the neighborhood. Be smart and prepared to ward off four-legged attackers.
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ClinicalPosters sells human anatomy charts, scientific posters, and other products online. You may remit a small donation.
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