Regardless of whether or not you own a dog or are around people who own pets, understanding how to protect yourself if you are attacked by a dog in Illinois is important to your safety and well-being. Often, dogs are provoked in some way and their ultimate reaction is to attack if they feel endangered. As such, educating yourself about how to prevent attacks is critical to understanding how to properly behave around a dog.
If you have children, put emphasis on the importance of being respectful of a dog’s space to avoid interfering and creating a dangerous situation that could have easily been prevented. If you own a dog, do your part to train your four-legged friend about how to behave around other people and animals. If you know that your dog is skittish and easily spooked, you may be better off at securely locking him or her away until your guests leave especially if there will be small children or other pets.
According to Yahoo!, one of the best ways to prevent a dog attack is to follow the lead of the dog’s owner. If you have arrived at your friend’s home, wait for him or her to let you in and then proceed to be respectful of the animal’s space. If you ever encounter a dog that is stiff or not moving, it is a sign that the dog may be agitated and you should stay away. If you are attacked by a dog, avoid turning your back toward the animal as it can compromise your safety further. If you are holding a bag or have a jacket or anything, use it to shield your body the best you can.
The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.