Millions of dog bites occur around the country every year. While most of them don't cause personal injuries that require medical care, nearly one out of five sends the victim to the hospital—and some even result in death. Should you ever be approached by an aggressive dog, you can reduce the risk of a violent attack by keeping the following tips in mind. 

3 Tips for Handling an Approach by an Aggressive Dog

1. Remain Calm 

It’s certainly tempting to scream or run—or both—if a ferocious dog lunges toward you. In most cases, though, it’s best to remain as calm as possible because sprinting away could encourage the dog to chase you. Using a firm voice, let the dog know what he’s doing is wrong by saying “no!” and “bad dog!” Just make sure not to shriek or scream the words. Generally speaking, the lower the pitch, the better because dogs are drawn to those who speak in higher tones. 

2. Turn Your Back 

It can be hard to tell if a dog—especially a large one—is in a playful or aggressive state when charging you. Thankfully, turning your back to the animal can diffuse the situation in either case. If the dog just wants to play, it should stop when ignored. And if the dog intends to bite you, it’s likely doing so out of fear. By turning around, you’re letting the dog know you’re not a threat. Should the dog jump up anyway, you’re also protecting your face. 

3. Find a Shield

If the dog is relentless, place whatever you can between you two to reduce the risk of personal injury until you can get away. Examples include a purse, a backpack, or an open umbrella. If you’re not carrying anything, look around for some kind of shield, like a garbage can lid, lawn chair, or pool toy. 

Unfortunately, because dogs are ultimately unpredictable animals, the above tips aren't foolproof. If you get bitten despite your best efforts, the personal injury team at Riggs Ellsworth & Porter PLC will help. At their offices in Mesa, Queen Creek, Show Low, and Surprise, AZ, they resolve all kinds of complicated legal disputes. To explore the different types of cases they take on, visit their website, and then call (928) 537-3228 to schedule a consultation with a compassionate personal injury attorney on their team.