If you encounter an aggressive dog, it’s important to know how to react quickly. You might only have a few seconds. Doing the wrong thing can escalate the situation and make it more likely that you’ll get injured.
Keep in mind that you could still suffer a bite, even if you do everything correctly. The obligation is not on you to avoid the dog, but on the dog’s owner to protect you if they know that the animal is dangerous. But if the owner doesn’t fulfill that obligation, here are some steps you can take.
Stay calm and still
Your first instinct may be to yell and run in the other direction, but both of these things can just make the dog more angry or riled up. Many dogs have a strong natural prey drive, so running may just cause them to chase aggressively. Instead, just stay calm and still while facing the dog and speaking in a low voice.
Begin backing away
Running away can make things worse, but your instinct to get away from the dog’s territory is correct. It may only be aggressive if it perceives that you are too close. If you start slowly backing away, this signals to the dog that you are not a threat. You still don’t want to turn around, though, as you should always face the dog without making eye contact.
Put something between you
Finally, if you can, try to put something between you and the dog. Perhaps you are close to a parked car on the side of the street or a trashcan that someone set by the curb. Ducking behind this object creates more separation and makes it harder for the dog to suddenly bite.
As noted, though, you could still get injured by a dangerous dog, even when you follow these tips perfectly. If you do suffer bite injuries, be sure you know what legal options you have to seek financial compensation.