Dog Attacks Are Increasing Despite Outcry

We started writing about dog attacks for my blog because they are so common and so devastating to the victims and their families. Yes it’s true that most owners view their dogs as part of the family, but they seem to forget that they are animals that have the instinct to bite and attack making them potentially dangerous.

In one of our first stories about dog attacks where we offer some Dog Attack Prevention Tips we said “According to the Humane Society close to 4 ½ million Americans are bitten by dogs on average each year with one in five dog bites resulting in injuries serious enough to require medical attention in a hospital or emergency room. Almost half of those bitten are children, with the age group of 5 to 9 years old the highest age bracket of victims. “In 2012, more than 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs.”

One organization that keeps track of dog bites statistics and dog bite injuries is dogsbite.org. On their website they claim that close to 1,000 people require emergency medical care every day due to dog attacks and dog bites.

In today’s article, we will share with you more stories about how dogs bite and attack just about anyone.

In Corpus Christi, Texas a city employee was investigating a complaint about high grass and trash at a home. As he approached the house, a dog that was on a tether attacked and bit the Code Enforcement Officer. The officer received treatment at the scene by paramedics.

In Lorain, Ohio a man who owned two American Pit Bull Terriers has had a long record of run-ins with the law concerning his dogs. In the most recent incident, his pit bulls attacked three women before a police officer shot and killed one of the dogs. One of the victims, a 36-year-old woman climbed on top of the police cruiser to get away from the two dogs when a nearby officer opened fire on the animals killing one and wounding the other.

In Harris County, Texas a sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a pit bull after the dog attacked him. According to witnesses there were three dogs that were roaming the neighborhood and appeared to be headed for a group of kids waiting for their bus. The dogs didn’t reach the children but did attack three adults.

And finally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin a family dog mauled a three month old baby. After biting the baby in the arm, the family pit bull pulled the baby out of a bouncy seat and held the baby in its mouth and began shaking its head from side to side eventually tossing the baby to the ground. Bite wounds on the child’s head, stomach, arms, neck and back were seen by investigators. Needless to say, that child was rushed to a hospital.

Dog Attack Prevention Tips that have stood the test of time.

• “The number one tip is the most obvious-avoid areas where dogs congregate. When two or more dogs are together, a pack mentality sets in making them more dangerous.
• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Some people claim that dogs can sense fear or panic. If you panic, dogs may feel more confident in an attack.
• If a dog is charging at you and barking, stand your ground and stay still. He may lose interest and leave.
• Don’t yell at a dog and especially don’t smile at it. A dog may see the bared teeth of a smile as a sign of aggression.
• Since dogs are very territorial, a dog in a fenced in area may be especially aggressive. Most dogs can jump a three-foot fence easily.
• Sometimes elevated sharp commands such as “stop” or “go home” may just work at stopping an assault on you.
• Don’t be foolish enough to think that you can out run a dog. Never turn your back on a barking dog and never run away from one.
• Remember that dogs have a natural instinct to bite. Don’t irritate them.
• Never pet a strange dog; let him sniff you first.
• Never try to pet a dog while he’s sleeping, eating or drinking water.
• A dog’s body language can give you a clue as to what his intentions are.
• If his ears are pinned back, he is ready to attack. If he has a loping gait he may want to just play.
• When out walking, jogging or cycling it is best to have a self-defense pepper spray with you.
• It is also not a bad idea to carry a blocking device of some kind with you. That way if the dog attacks, you can stick the blocking device into the dog’s mouth for him to bite instead of your forearm.
• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and be still.”

This Sabre Brand Dog Pepper Spray is specially formulated to be highly effective yet humane and strong enough to deter most dog attacks. It has a range up to 15 feet making it the longest range dog spray available-something very important in defending yourself against a dog attack.

Chime in with your experiences of being attacked or bitten by a dog. How did you defend yourself? Don’t be bashful we won’t bite!