Dogs are America’s most beloved pets. In fact, nearly 50 million households have at least one dog as part of the family. Typically, dogs are friendly and welcoming to new people, but this isn’t always the case.
Being faced with an aggressive dog is a scary situation to find yourself in, particularly if you aren’t a fan of the canine species. Your first instinct may be to turn your back and run away as fast as you can. This isn’t a good idea, and here’s why.
The prey instinct
Before they became domesticated, dogs had to hunt their prey in order to survive. This is an instinct that still exists in dogs, and it is stronger in some than others. If you run, the dog will just become even more excited and potentially lock on to you as a target of prey.
You have no chance of getting away
Even the smallest and slowest breeds of dogs can give the average human a run for their money. The majority of dogs can typically exceed the speeds of even the most highly trained human athletes. Simply put, if you choose to run, you just aren’t going to get away.
What can you do?
Dogs often bite out of fear, so the best thing you can do is to come across as non-threatening. Avoid direct eye contact and shouting and slowly back away from the animal. If they do not feel backed into a corner, then there is a chance that they won’t bite.
If you have been bitten by a dog, the owner bears some responsibility. Seeking legal guidance will give you a clearer idea of what options you have in terms of pursuing compensation.