Tips on Avoiding Dog Bites

Most of the time, the interactions you have with dogs are innocent and non-threatening. Unfortunately, a dog can become extremely aggressive and lash out at those around it. In this blog, we share a few tips on how to avoid being bitten or attacked by a dog.

Pay Attention to Body Language

Dogs can easily become anxious or tense, depending on the environment and whether or not it feels threatened. Dogs who are tense will typically growl and bare their teeth, and have a stiff tail, furrowed brow, and a flicking tongue. If you’re able to, put as much space as possible between you and the dog. When walking away from the dog, never turn your back or run away.

Introduce Yourself Properly

The majority of dogs you come across will not feel the need to attack, but you still want to interact with the dog in a way that is non-threatening. When introducing yourself to a dog, you want to let it investigate you. Hold your hand out and let the dog sniff you. You should never surprise a dog or disturb it while it is eating, sleeping, or chewing a toy.

Respect a Dog’s Space

Although your instinct may be to hug a dog tightly and hold it close to your face, the truth is that not many dogs find this enjoyable. A dog who feels threatening from a tight hug may feel the need to lash out and attack. Hugging a dog is one of the most common ways for children to be bitten by dogs.

Talk To Your Children

A young child is naturally very curious, which can lead to a potentially dangerous situation when it involves dogs. Setting rules and boundaries with your children regarding their interaction with dogs can keep them safe. Children should never be allowed to play with dogs unsupervised, and under no circumstances should a child approach a stranger’s dog without permission.

At Laurence A. Silverman, Esq., our Long Island personal injury attorneys have more than 40 years of legal experience in helping individuals who are victims of dog bites. If you or someone you love has been bitten or attacked by a dog, do not hesitate to call our law firm today at (631)925-2117.