How to avoid a dog attack

03 May 2016 - 12:07 By Matthew Savides
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Image: iStock

Learn your dog's body language‚ show it respect and do not corner it. This is some of the advice being given by ER24 paramedics after a spate of dog attacks in recent weeks.

The medical service has dealt with several incidents‚ including a fatal dog attack in Pietermaritzburg in which a 30-year-woman was killed.

"Having recently been called out to attend to patients who were attacked by dogs‚ we are urging pet owners to take good care of their dogs by ensuring they are well socialised and trained from a young age‚ and kept safe in their property‚" said ER24 spokesperson Chitra Bodasing.

“We are also urging people to avoid approaching unfamiliar dogs and to report stray dogs to the relevant authorities.”

Samantha Walpole‚ secretary of Animal Behavioural Consultants of South Africa‚ said children were most at risk because they were naturally drawn to animals. She added that a lot of human interactions with dogs were thought of as affectionate‚ when the animal actually found it confrontational - including hugging and kissing.

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"Fundamentally‚ humans and dogs speak a different language. When communication is misunderstood‚ people get bitten‚" said Walpole.

She said that attacks can be avoided if people were respectful to their dogs‚ learnt to "speak dog" by learning their likes and dislikes based on body language‚ and avoid testing the animals to see how tolerant they are.

When it came to unfamiliar dogs‚ Walpole said it was best to ignore them.

"Do not encourage an unfamiliar dog to approach you. Quietly and calmly walk away. Do not turn your back on the dog‚ but rather try to have your body facing sideways towards the dog. If you are unable to escape an attacking dog‚ place yourself in the foetal position with your head tucked towards your chest. Cover your head with your hands‚" she said.

ER24's Dr Kumeshan Moodley said anyone who is attacked should get immediate medical attention.

For the medical service's full statement and advice‚ click here.

- TMG Digital

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