Take A Bite Out Of Dog Attacks
Utility Workers: Beware of the Dog
According to the American Humane Society, 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs annually. More than 16,000 of those attacks were reported by workers. With people owning more aggressive breeds of dogs for protection purposes, those numbers are likely to increase, but there are precautions workers can take to avoid being bitten.
The American Human Society recommends the following strategies for reducing the likelihood of dog attacks:
- Workers should familiarize themselves with areas on their routes and be able to determine which yards to avoid.
- Never approach a strange dog, especially one that’s tied or confined behind a fence or in a car.
- Don’t pet a dog without letting it see and sniff you first.
- Never turn your back to a dog and run away. A dog’s natural instinct will be to chase and catch you.
- Don’t disturb a dog while it’s sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy or caring for puppies.
- Be cautious around strange dogs. Always assume a dog that doesn’t know you sees you as an intruder or a threat.
If you are approached by a dog that may attack you, follow these tips:
- Never scream and run.
- Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog.
- Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until it is out of sight.
- If the dog does attack, “feed” it your jacket, purse, bicycle or anything you can put between yourself and the dog.
- If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless.
Equally as important as knowing how to prevent a bite is knowing the following steps to take in the event of a bite:
- Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water.
- Contact your physician for additional care and advice.
- Report the bite to your local animal care and control agency. Tell the animal control official everything you know about the dog, including its owner’s name and address. If the dog is a stray, tell the animal control official what the dog looks like, where you saw it, whether you've seen it before and in which direction it went.
