19 February 2024 , 10:41
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Brits have been advised how to react when faced with a dangerous dog - from not running to crossing your arms.
A spate of dog attacks over the past year has put a focus on the problem and led to the banning of certain breeds by the Government. XL Bully ownership has surged in recent years but, despite being a popular pet, it is also considered to be a fighting dog that is difficult to control.
An aggressive animal attack is difficult to stop - and attempts can actually make them more vicious. The latest data shows that in 2022, there were nearly 22,000 cases of injuries to people from dogs - while there has been 23 deaths recorded since 2021.
Clearly throwing objects or hitting a dog could well have the opposite effect to what is wanted. But there are some clever tactics that can be used to distract and restrain dogs if you were ever in the situation where you are facing one that is out of control. And now, RSPCA animal behaviourist Rosie Bescoby says running away from a dog and screaming could “trigger a more predatory response”.
"The worst thing you can do if you've got a dog that's rushing towards you is to run away," she said. "I know that's difficult when it's probably part of our flight instinct, but there's a risk of falling over."
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While crossing arms is a good way to make it more difficult for a dog to grab onto your sleeves, it also advisable to give an aggressive animal plenty of space. Ms Bescoby told the BBC: "It's one of those situations where you want to try and get a barrier between the dog and the person as well. So if you can, get something to ram between them and then get the person behind a closed door."
Vet Dr Joanna Woodnutt told The Mirror of several ways that could be used against an aggressive dog but warned that people need to consider their own safety first before getting involved. Joanna said that twisting a dog's collar could work to stop it, as could throwing water or pushing a stick in the dog’s mouth, which can also help to make the animal release its grip.
"For some dogs, a loud noise or emptying a bucket of water over them will be enough to shock them into letting go for long enough that you can get them under control," said Joanna of Perfect Pet Insurance. "However, bull breeds were originally bred for their persistence in a fight, and many of them will have retained this ability to ignore all else.
"In this case, there are ways to stop dogs holding on. These can be dangerous and you should consider the risk to your own life before you intervene. One option is to grab the dog's collar and twist it. If possible, a pole should be used to do this as it allows you to apply more force - put it under the collar then start to twist. The idea is that the attacking dog is rendered unconscious - this should happen pretty quickly. Be aware that once you stop applying the force, the dog may regain consciousness quite quickly, so be prepared to repeat the action or get to a place of safety."
She continued: "A short solid stick (like a wooden spoon or a broom handle) can be inserted into the dog's mouth just behind their victim. The end of the stick should be pushed up so it contacts the roof of the mouth. This does not need force - the dog will usually let go when it feels the stick contact the palate, you don't need to ram it in and cause damage. If the attacking dog is shaking the victim from side to side, attempts should be made to immobilise them to reduce this - pushing them up against a wall or grabbing their scruff may work."