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While many dogs are friendly, you may encounter one that is aggressive and threatening. A potential canine attack can be alarming, but with the right response, you can avoid injuries or reduce the extent of them. Your reaction may also influence the way your experience is treated under Wisconsin’s dog bite laws. To amplify your safety, here are a few steps you should take when a dog seems like they could attack.   

5 Steps to Handling an Aggressive Dog

1. Keep Your Distance

Canines are territorial animals, so if you’re approaching a yard with an aggressive dog, slowly move as far away as you can. Rather than running past the yard, you should move to the opposite side of the street where you will be seen as less of a threat.

2. React Calmly

Yelling at, waving at, or running away from the animal will only escalate the situation. To minimize the risk of attack, avoid eye contact with the dog, don’t bare your teeth, and speak with a calm voice. As you slowly retreat to a safer area, don’t turn your back, as the dog may see this as an opportunity to pounce.

3. Use Barriers

dog bite lawWhen you can’t prevent an attack, you can minimize the risk of injury by using barriers you have on hand. Get whatever you can between you and the animal—such as a bag, sweater sleeve, or jacket.

Hopefully, the animal will latch onto these items rather than biting you.  You can also protect yourself by covering your most vulnerable areas—including your thighs, groin, neck, and face.

4. Don’t Pull Away

If the dog bites you, avoid the instinct to pull away. Doing so may only worsen the wound, as well as encourage the animal to continue the attack. Instead, keep as still as possible.

While the dog is engaged, you or another person may have an opportunity to grab the animal’s hind legs so they can be flipped onto their back into a neutralizing position.

5. Address Injuries Right Away

Cover any wound immediately and apply pressure to minimize bleeding. Wash the bitten area with water and soap to minimize the risk of infection. If the injury is deep, call for emergency medical help, as you may need stitches and other preventive treatments.

Additionally, you or someone else should get the dog owner’s contact information and confirm that the animal has had their required rabies vaccination. Personal injury attorneys can use these details to prove liability and seek compensation per the state’s dog bite laws.

 

If you’ve been injured by a canine in the Sparta, WI, area, contact a lawyer at Osborne, Tripp & Schmidt. Specializing in personal injury, these attorneys will use their expertise in Wisconsin dog bite law to establish liability for damages in court, as well as help you seek compensation for related damages. For more details on these services, visit this Monroe County law firm online. To schedule a consultation with a compassionate attorney, call (608) 269-2400.

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