When Animals Attack

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Fend off the beasts that want to chomp, maul and peck you to death.

Dog Attack
When bark turns to bite
There are four main reasons for a mutt to attack, says RSPCA behavioural trainer Renee Hajek. “Aggressive behaviour will be displayed if the dog is frightened of you, injured, or you’re near its territory or pups.” Renee also reckons you’ll know an attack is imminent when, “a dog stands high on its front legs, staring at your eyes, with its tail pointing toward the sky.” This means it’s time to get out of there, but be careful. “Don’t run,” says Renee. “Present the side of your body to the dog, step sideways slowly, and avoid staring at it or making sudden eye movements.” If all that fails and the mutt does bite you, “Put yourself in the foetal position and protect your face. Any acts of aggression on your behalf will stir the dog even more.”

Do
Present the side of your body to the dog.
Give the hound any food you have.
Talk in a friendly voice.
If it does attack, get into the foetal position and protect your face.

Don't
Run away. You’ll look like a sook and be an easy target.
Stare at the dog directly.
Smile at a strange dog – showing your teeth may look like a threat.
Make any brisk or sudden movements, especially near the dog’s head.

User reviews

When I was eight years old there was a Corgi that used to live in a house near us that would run out and bark and nip my heels as I walked past. My father told me that if I picked it up and bit it *** the back of the neck it would cease terrorising me. I didn't realise at the time he was jesting. At eight years old we tend to believe verbatim what our father tells us - so the next time the Corgi came charging out I whipped around, picked it up and bite it very hard between the shoulders. I may have ended up with a mouth full of hair - but the Corgi would skulk off if whenever I walked past thereafter!

What a load of rubbish. Dogs are craven and cowardly animals, and will attack if they think that they can get away with it. They certainly do not have to be frightened or threatened to attack, the other way is more the norm, frightened dogs will run away. I have had a long history of been attacked by dogs as a paper boy in the 70's, as a cyclist and as a motorcyclist and jogger and rollerblader and horse rider over the years. I have seen my baby Son bitten on the face by a neighbours dog because he crawled too close to the dog whilst it was scavenging a dropped bit of food, and have had my Sons attacked when they were older whilst riding their bikes. I am intolerant of roaming and threatening dogs, and find overt fearless aggression is the only way to deal with them. I have, and would not hesitate to again, attack, and kill or injure an agressive or threatening dog by any means at my disposal. Lay on the ground in a fetal position- what moronic advice.

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