The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year 4.7 million individuals are bitten by dogs. Of these 4.7 million up to 800,000 required medical attention as a direct result of a bite. Dog bites can even result in death. A reported 72 percent of fatal dog bites involve children. Hastings and Hastings educates on the best ways to avoid dog bites.
Body language is a form of nonverbal communication. Almost all living creatures, including humans, communicate through body language. Reading a human’s body language comes as second nature because individuals are familiar with the emotions and thoughts that other persons portray. Understanding a dog’s body language is not so intuitive and must be taught. However, the easiest way to avoid being bitten by a dog is to learn to read a dog’s body language.
Dog bites primarily occur when a dog is experiencing one of two different emotions: fear and anger. A dog experiencing fear will typically exhibit a few of the following behaviors: growling, shaking, crouching, backing away, or tucking its tail under its body. The worst thing someone can do to a dog exhibiting any of these behaviors is to approach or attempt to befriend it.
An angry or aggressive dog is even more likely to attack an individual than a fearful dog. An angry dog will usually have its ears up, will look directly at a possible threat, and wag its tail slowly. Further the hair on the back of its neck may stand up. Stay as far away as possible from a dog exhibiting any of these behaviors.
If an attack is unavoidable the best thing someone can do is protect themselves. First, victims should attempt to discard something in their possession, perhaps a purse or backpack. This is done in the hope that the dog will engage with the discarded item rather than the individual. If the attack is unavoidable, the victim should do their best to protect head, neck and face.
“Experiencing a dog attack is frightening and traumatic. Dog bite victims suffer from injuries, pain, and even unsightly scars. At Hastings & Hastings, we make it our business to fight for the rights of dog bite victims. If you have suffered from a dog bite, do not hesitate to give us a call,” said David Hastings, the founder of Hastings & Hastings.
Press Contact:
Kristy Guell
Hastings & Hastings
Voice: (480)706-1100
E-Mail: kristy.guell@hastingsandhastings.com
Website: http://hastingsandhastings.com