Avoiding Dog Attacks

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Aggression in family pets towards people or other animals is not just undesirable but it is NOT acceptable. Dog attacks on other animals, children, and adults have highlighted certain aspect of owning, approaching or dealing with an aggressive dog. Avoiding dog attacks can be and is a very traumatic experience and difficult time for everyone concerned.

Owners who allow their pets to charge up and down the fence line at home barking and growling at passersby are irresponsible and encouraging their dog to become even more aggressive. The animal is in its own territory and after a while the passersby become angry towards this animal and can challenge the dog in many ways, the result is an animal with fence aggression.

The general public has a right to be on the streets and to NOT be frightened or menaced by this aggression. Owners MUST keep the dog behind a secure gate & fence, but MUST also keep the animal farther away from that front fence by erecting side fences so the animal cannot access the front yard.

If you go walking or jogging and know that there are aggressive dogs in your area then try and map out another run, avoidance is better than confrontation of this type. If it is not possible to go another direction then there are a few things, which you may like to try:

• Take a push button umbrella with you (on the attack open the umbrella up this should make the dog back off.
• Take a squirty bottle with you with lemon juice in (squirt at the dog’s mouth)
• Carry tidbits of food to throw down for the dog.
• Do NOT make eye contact with the dog. Stand still, fold your arms, look away and yawn (calming signal tells the dog you are not interested)
• Back up to a fence or wall so the dog can’t get behind you and keep still.
• If you have a jacket on take it off and hold it in front of you if the dog attacks this then try and ease the dog into a house yard (don’t let go of the jacket other wise the dog will still attack) and close the gate.
• Shout for help

What do you do if you are knocked to the ground?
This is the most frightening and traumatic event in anyone’s life.

TRY NOT TO PANIC!

• Roll into the foetal position making sure you cover your head with your hands.
• Keep very still
• Listen for the movement from the dog and when safe slowly look to see where he is.
• When the coast is clear slowly get up and go for help.

REMEMBER

• DON’T RUN
• STAND STILL
• FOLD YOUR ARMS ACROSS YOUR CHEST
• TURN YOUR HEAD AWAY
• AND YAWN

If you don’t run the dog has nothing to chase.

For any other information regarding help with an aggressive dog, or details of our courses, please contact our centre on (07) 3426 9928.