Dogs are beloved by many as dog ownership is amazing for your physical and mental health. But sometimes dogs aren’t friendly and they can be very violent. Over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year and over 800,000 need medical attention. Hospitalized victims are mostly children since they are small and can’t protect themselves from dogs. And sadly, 30 to 50 people die from dog bites each year in the US; It’s more common than you think.

Don’t ever leave a child unattended with a strange dog. Don’t approach strange dogs or pet them without their owner’s permission. Teasing a dog can also increase your chance of being bitten. Startling a dog by waking it up, making loud noises, and moving quickly can become dangerous.

Look away and be motionless if an angry dog approaches you. Try to stay calm, dogs can smell fear and they’re less likely to attack if you’re calm. Try to distract the dog with an object like a water bottle by throwing it, but if it doesn’t go after the object, offer them something to chew on like a backpack. After the dog has calmed down, walk away slowly.

If the dog leaps at you or starts biting you, you need to defend yourself. Hit or kick the dog in the throat, nose, or on their head. Fight with all your strength since dog attacks can lead to permanent injuries and even death. It’s also good to yell for help.

As an owner, it’s very important to train your dog so that they don’t bite. It’s better to train dogs when they’re young so their biting doesn’t become a habit (most pet stores offer helpful training). Reward them with a treat when they don’t bite you. Also consider socializing your dog to make them comfortable around other dogs and humans.

Dog attacks can happen out of nowhere and can impact your life. We can stop a lot of dog attacks by training them and trying not to get them agitated.