The Soapboxx
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
How Do You Fend Off A Dangerous Dog?
This isn't all that pleasant, but it is timely.
We've all read the awful news story where the five-year old girl in Merseyside was killed by the family pet, albeit one whose breed had breached the Dangerous Dogs Act and had a formal history of council warnings about its behaviour. I think many of us are shaking our heads at everything that forms a part of and even led up to this story - what kind of moron leaves such an animal with a child in the first place? - but perhaps the important thing is that it should lead to measures that ensure it doesn't happen so easily again. But what if it does? What if it were to happen to you?
There is one very effective way to eliminate the threat from a dog that is about to attack you, or to divert its attention to protect a child or loved one. It isn't nice, but it does work.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being threatened by a dog, particularly one that is running after you or seems likely to do so, calmly remove your jacket or jumper and wrap it several times around your arm. Facing the dog, but leaning away from it, move backwards (obviously trying to get away if you can) and hold your arm out as 'bait'. It sounds like madness but all trained dogs and many others will automatically go for your arm by default, particularly if it is held out in front of them.
When the dog grabs your (somewhat protected) arm, kick it very hard and, if necessary, repeatedly in the throat. You will have to act fast, but in nearly all cases it will go down very quickly. At the very least it will release its grip and be severely weakened, giving you time to escape. Obviously this is not something to be taken lightly as it can cause serious harm to the dog, and may even kill it. However, in a situation where your own life is at risk - or particularly that of a child's - it's something we should perhaps all be aware of.
Meanwhile, if the owner is nearby, try the same same trick on them. You might have to wrap the jacket around your other arm to really fool them, but if you can get a few kicks in there as well, so much the better. At the end of the day, it's wise to remember that it isn't really the dog's fault at all.
We've all read the awful news story where the five-year old girl in Merseyside was killed by the family pet, albeit one whose breed had breached the Dangerous Dogs Act and had a formal history of council warnings about its behaviour. I think many of us are shaking our heads at everything that forms a part of and even led up to this story - what kind of moron leaves such an animal with a child in the first place? - but perhaps the important thing is that it should lead to measures that ensure it doesn't happen so easily again. But what if it does? What if it were to happen to you?
There is one very effective way to eliminate the threat from a dog that is about to attack you, or to divert its attention to protect a child or loved one. It isn't nice, but it does work.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being threatened by a dog, particularly one that is running after you or seems likely to do so, calmly remove your jacket or jumper and wrap it several times around your arm. Facing the dog, but leaning away from it, move backwards (obviously trying to get away if you can) and hold your arm out as 'bait'. It sounds like madness but all trained dogs and many others will automatically go for your arm by default, particularly if it is held out in front of them.
When the dog grabs your (somewhat protected) arm, kick it very hard and, if necessary, repeatedly in the throat. You will have to act fast, but in nearly all cases it will go down very quickly. At the very least it will release its grip and be severely weakened, giving you time to escape. Obviously this is not something to be taken lightly as it can cause serious harm to the dog, and may even kill it. However, in a situation where your own life is at risk - or particularly that of a child's - it's something we should perhaps all be aware of.
Meanwhile, if the owner is nearby, try the same same trick on them. You might have to wrap the jacket around your other arm to really fool them, but if you can get a few kicks in there as well, so much the better. At the end of the day, it's wise to remember that it isn't really the dog's fault at all.
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