If you spot a dangerous dog, your first instinct may be to run away. Perhaps you are already running, going on a jog through your neighborhood, when an off-leash dog approaches you and begins growling. Or maybe you are walking your own dog, and the other dog reacts negatively as you approach their property. You want to get away as fast as you can and avoid an attack.
As much as running may seem like the right instinctive decision, it is often wrong. Below are two reasons why you should not run from a dangerous dog.
For one thing, it can make things worse. Dogs have an inherent prey drive, meaning that their instinct is to chase. If the dog is already acting aggressively, your best option is often to stand still, avoid eye contact, and try to slowly back away to put distance between yourself and the dog. But if you simply turn and run, the dog is more likely to follow you, perhaps increasing the chances that it will attack.
The second thing to remember is that you cannot outrun the dog. Even if you can run at 10 miles an hour, there are dogs that can run at 20 or 30 miles an hour. The average person is simply far slower than the average dog, so running is not a viable way to escape. If the dog wants to attack, it still can.
Unfortunately, negligent dog owners may put you in danger. If you do suffer injuries from a bite, you need to know how to seek financial compensation.
