As of June 30th, there have been over 600 animal bites reported to Oklahoma City Animal Welfare. Most of these bites came from dogs that were confined, not stray. There is a good chance that there have been more dogs bites in the Oklahoma City Metro that have went unreported. Nationally, over 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. While these statistics seem high, the good news is that dog bite attacks can be prevented through proper education.
According to the American Human Society, there are several steps that one should follow if you are approached by a dog that you may feel will attack you.
- Resist the urge to scream and run away from the dog.
- Remain motionless, keep your hands at your side, and avoid eye contact.
- Once the dog loses interest, slowly back away.
- If for some reason the dog does attack you, give the dog something like a jacket, purse, or bicycle that will separate you from the dog.
- If you get knocked on the ground, curl into a ball with your hands around your ears and remain motionless. Do not scream or roll around.
Several Oklahoma experts recently provided advice on how to avoid dog attacks. The best way to avoid dog bites is to avoid the animal’s predatory instincts. One Oklahoma City Veterinarian said that “you’ve got to stand up to them. You can’t run,” quoted the veterinarian. “Try to back them down. Make yourself look bigger and tougher than you are, but don’t run at them. That’s a sign of aggression from you, and they can be counter-aggressive.”
Dogs are also territorial and leaving an area that they have marked often takes someone out of danger. An Oklahoma City animal welfare supervisor said that “the farther you get away from an area they’re protecting, the more the threat will decrease.”
Dogbites are usually covered by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. Sometimes, a dog will attack and cause injury even while following the proper safety measures. To prevent the insurance companies from trying to get off easy, it is important for you to seek the advice of an experienced Oklahoma dog bite attorney.