A DOG BITE: HERE’S HOW TO DEAL WITH IT

A dog bite is a wound caused by the teeth of a dog that causes infection, diseases, or even death. Irrespective of age, gender, and cuteness, an animal will bite if provoked and dogs are not an exception here though they are considered to be loyal.

Causes Of A Dog Bite:

1. Anger is the common cause. Mostly stray dogs get into a fight with each other and may find a human as a potential target to remove the frustration. They may also get angry if they get hurt physically.
2. They may feel scared for themselves, puppies, territories, or food. If they find someone as a potential threat to these assets, they may get triggered to bite.
3. They must be sick, injured, or feeling depressed. This mostly happens when they are abandoned or abused. Thus, they may use biting as a weapon to keep others away.
4. If a human makes direct eye contact with an angry dog, the dog may take it as a challenge for a fight.
5. They may bite accidentally while playing, eating, or grabbing toys in their mouths. However, it can be dangerous for others.
6. Interference in their mating or training improperly is risky.
7. Running away from a dog may also provoke them to follow the prey.
8. They may even bite accidentally when someone offers them food or some toy.
9. Thus, making a dog uncomfortable is the main reason for a bite.

Here Are Some Warnings:

1. Not all dogs are always ready to bite. They can be tolerant too. If the same torture goes on for a very long period, they will surely lose their calm someday. Still, they may warn us.
2. A common sign is their angry face along with ears tucked against the face, raised hair or tail, tail tucked underneath.
3. Showing teeth while making eye contact with the target.
4. Walking away from someone means that the dog doesn’t want to get approached.
5. Growling or barking aggressively is a breathtaking sign though.
6. They may lick their lips or make their body stiff.
7. The whites of their eyes can be seen when they move their head without moving their eyes. This shows that they are anxious and anxiety is a cause for a bite.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure:

1. One must not start running on coming in sight of a dog. Instead, one must either slow down or stop at the moment.
2. Activities or aggressive games that may make a dog over-excited should be avoided.
3. Socializing or training the dog since its childhood can make him feel comfortable in different situations. The dog has to be controlled with great care from the beginning.
4. People must be informed about the ways to treat a dog.
5. Leaving small children alone with them is too risky.
6. One must allow a dog to sniff him/her before petting it. Getting close to the dog’s face or tail must be avoided before both the human and the dog get comfortable with each other. The dog must be handled gently at first.
7. The mother of the puppies(dam) should be made comfortable before handling the puppies as dams are protective towards their puppies. Similar rules are applied for their territories, food, and toys.
8.  A sleeping, sick, angry, or depressed dog should not be disturbed.
9. Tamed dogs should be vaccinated regularly so that they won’t spread rabies or other diseases even if they bite.
10. It should be disciplined gently without physical violation.
11. It should be educated to stay only in permitted areas and must be kept on leash especially around the people.
12. If a dog is suspected to be angry, everyone around him should be warned first.
13. To get lower in front of a dog, one must crouch with his/her side to the dog.

What If A Dog Is About To Attack?

1. Dogs run fast. So, running away from the dog won’t work. Staying calm here is difficult but is strongly recommended. If this works, then getting away from the dog carefully especially behind some barrier would be better.
2. Direct eye contact with the dog will be a grave mistake.
3. Standing slightly sideways would make one a narrower target.
4. One must try to appear bigger, maybe by using some asset in front of the dog may show our dominance.
5. Some assets like a sweater, or arm out of a sleeve held by the person, a sweatshirt tied around the waist, a cap, or a soft toy should be thrown on the dog’s face to distract it. Here, the dog has got a piece of the target.
6. If the dog is about to attack, the main body parts to be covered are the face, throat, and chest. Fingers have to be saved by closing them in the fists. The safest places to get a dog bite are the forearm or shin.

Still, What If It Bites?

1. Naturally, people pull their body parts grabbed by the dog. But this damages the tissues more. Instead, air horns, citronella spray, or sticks can be used. Pepper sprays should be used only after knowing using them. Also, using sticks unnecessarily may increase the dog’s anger.
2. After a bite, the wound has to be washed thoroughly with clean water for about 10 minutes.
3. The victim must seek medical attention immediately. The victim should responsibly complete the treatment as prescribed by the doctor.
4. Taking photos of the bite later and informing people about it can help others control the dogs so that it doesn’t happen to anyone in the future.
5. Rights as a dog victim must be known. The owner can be held here.

What If One Dog Attacks The Other One?

None of the body parts should be put between both of them. Instead, some object such as an umbrella, chair, or garbage can be used.

 

To Conclude:

Though dog bites are rare, they are not impossible. It is believed that any dog can bite. Taking appropriate measures such as staying calm around a dog, training it very well, and making a dog feel comfortable around humans can surely avoid a disaster.