How to try to protect yourself before, during, and after a dog attack

The events on July 30^th at Ellis Park (off of Short Sands) in York Beach Maine set into motion by the actions or lack of action by Piscataqua Obedience Club have made me consider the other side of the coin.  How do you keep yourself and your dog as safe as is possible from a dog attack?   I am by no means an expert, but I have some ideas about this due to my profession as the owner and trainer for Mannerly Mutts Dog Training.

1. Be aware of your surroundings when out and about with dogs. Things can happen unexpectedly and quickly.  If you are at a dog event, do not assume you are safe from the dogs in the ring.   You may want to inquire about what their safety protocols are, and expect an answer that does not sound like a brush off.  (i.e. first aid kits, volunteers and helpers on the look out, how information would be collected).
2. If you see a dog eyeballing you or your dog or you feel at all uncomfortable, remove yourself, your family, and your dogs out of the area. (Also see point 4 if any leash laws are being broken)
3. Do not assume that dogs on leash are not a threat.   The human at the other end of the leash may have no control or negates their responsibility for control.  If you see a large uncontrolled dog on a flexi leash, leave the area.  In some areas, flexi leashes may be against the animal control ordinance.
4. Do use your animal control department.   If you see someone ignoring the leash law, the best thing you can do for everyone is to report it (including their dog BTW).   Law enforcement does not tend to get serious about this until they have a few reports, so do not wait to report an offence.
5. Before a dog is coming up at you:
1. Do not make eye contact.   Look to the side.  Do not to be at all a threat.
2. Position your body so you are not straight on.
3. Do not run.   This will elicit a chase.
4. Do not approach the dog, if you feel the dog is a danger to you.   Even a dog that is simply frightened will most likely bite you if cornered.
5. Try and locate a place you may be safe, and attempt to go there slowly.
6. If a dog is coming at you:
1. You can offer up a piece of clothing instead of your arm.
2. If they are already in chase mode, feel free to get quickly to an area of safety if possible.
3. I step in front of my dog, and put my dog in a command if I think I can stop the dog.
4. Use any furniture, gates, cars, et to get away from the dog and put something in between you and the dog.
5. If you have a small dog, be aware that a larger dog may come up after the small dog if you pick them up and hold them.  
6. In some instances, you may want to drop the leash on your dog so they can get away or defend themselves.
7. There are tools that you can bring with you on walks.   These include canes, blow horns, sprays, an extra leash, and extra clothing.
8. Try and remain standing, and protect vital body areas.
9. If you find yourself on the ground, ball up in the fetal position and cover your face head and neck areas as best as possible.
7. If a dog fight or attack has occurred:
1. Do not put your hands in the middle of it especially near their heads.   One or both of them are in panic and defence mode.
2. If you can get the back legs of a dog (and someone else another) grab these.   However, pulling them might do more damage to the other dog if they are gripped in a mouth.   As long as they are not damaging the airways, wait until they release.
3. Tail grabs are also another option in these circumstances, if the dog has a tail and you can’t get their back legs.
4. Using a piece of furniture or another implement to disengage the fighting party(ies).
8. How you handle it after the attack has occurred:
1. If you are at a public event, immediately stop the event by whatever means necessary.   Be sure that everyone there knows that you and/or your dog are hurt.   (This is how I will be handling this sort of thing in the future if I or someone else is hurt).
2. See if anyone at a public event has film of any part of what happened.
3. If you have a camera, make a video record of everyone there.    If you were lucky enough to get the actual attack on film, be sure you don’t erase that.
4. If you are severely hurt, dial 911 if possible or have someone there do it, first and foremost.
5. Get the owner’s info, the dog’s info, and any info on any witnesses around you.  Be sure you get access to rabies certificates and if possible any insurance the owner of the attacking dog has.  If you have been severely injured, see if someone else on scene can stop the person from leaving and get their info.
6. Do contact the police and report the incident.   The owner of the attacking dog is most likely required to report any incident involving their dog as well, depending on the animal control laws where they live.
7. Go to your doctor or vet to have any and all injuries checked out.
8. Be sure that you hold the owner of the attacking dog liable for damages.

It is ALWAYS the responsibility of the dog owner to keep the public safe from their dog.   The following are not excuses that the victim of a dog attack should accept:

1. You were jogging.
2. Your or your child was being loud and screaming.
3. Your dog was barking.
4. You went to pet the dog (Each dog owner should be managing the space for their dog.   Unless you attacked the dog after being told not to approach, this is not acceptable)
5. You were riding your bike.
6. You were playing with your dog.
7. You were walking your dog by their house (while still being on the road).
8. You were eating something.
9. You were drinking something.
10. Your dog was eating or drinking something.
11. You wear perfume or cologne.
12. Their dog is a “working dog” and these things happen.
13. You are wearing a baseball cap, wearing a uniform, have a beard, are bald, and on and on.

Unless you intentionally and maliciously provoked and/or attacked the dog (and that includes not listening to the owner to leave their dog alone), then YOU are not at fault if another dog has attacked YOU or YOUR DOG.   Not ever.

The good news is these are actually pretty rare when you look at the population of dogs and dog owners.   It is the few irresponsible dog owners that make most of these situations happen.  Occasionally it was an undiagnosed medical or mental issue with the dog, that the owner did not see coming.  Often it involves a lack of socialization, training, and proper management of someone’s dog and their environment (meaning they manage who can and can not see their dog and what situations they put their dog in).

Also most people and organizations are more than happy to take responsibility for unfortunate events that may occur on their watch.   It is regretful that I know now of at least one obedience club that does not take their responsibilities for public safety seriously.

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