Dog Safety Series, Part 1

The New York Dog Bite Lawyer, in partnership with the Long Island Ducks, is here to teach you the importance of pet safety. While dogs can often be friendly, acting appropriately around them is the best way to avoid a potential bite.

For that reason, we are starting our Dog Safety Series. Here are just five safety tips to keep in mind if you want to avoid a dog bite:

1. Always Ask Before Petting a Dog
   • Never approach a dog without asking the owner first. Not all dogs are friendly, especially to strangers, and some will react poorly if a stranger tries to bite them. Owners usually know their pet best, and will tell you if it’s okay to pet them.
2. Let the Dog See and Smell You First
   •  If you are approaching a dog for the first time, hold your hand out slowly so the dog can sniff it. This will help them learn that you are friendly and do not mean them any harm. If you approach too quickly, they may instead see you as a threat and attack.
3. Don’t Run From Dogs
   • It may seem counterintuitive, but you should avoid running from an aggressive dog. Running can trigger a dog’s chase instinct, and they may run after you simply because they want to chase you down.
4. If a Dog Runs Toward You — Be a Tree
   • If you find a dog running towards you, the best thing you can do is stand still, arms at your sides, and look down. This will indicate to the dog that you are not aggressive and are not prey to attack. It may not fully prevent an attack, but it minimizes the chance of harm.
5. Never Disturb a Dog That’s Eating
   • Dogs can be protective of their food, especially if they come from situations where they need to compete to eat. That is why you should always allow a dog to eat in peace. Otherwise, you may find them acting out in aggression.

If you have been injured due to a dog bite, you should contact Mack Press, the New York Dog Bite Lawyer. He will fight for you, while also ensuring it is the owner, and not the dog, that gets held accountable. Contact the New York Dog Bite Lawyer at 833-8-DOGBITE (833-836-4248), or visit our contact page.