Aggressive Dogs: Staying Safe in Your Neighborhood

You’ve laced up your shoes and are headed out for your morning run. You’re proud of staying on pace as you navigate your way through your neighborhood before most people are beginning to brew their morning coffee. You have your reflective vest on to assure sleepy drivers will see you in the morning twilight and your emergency contact bracelet on in case something awful happens. What you didn’t plan for, however, is the snarling dog staring at you from the end of the street. You stop to gather your thoughts and he begins to charge.

Believe it or not, dog bites and attacks are actually quite common throughout the suburbs. In fact, the Illinois State Bar Association reports that in Illinois, the number two state for dog bite insurance payments, the average dog bite case can cost a homeowner and insurance company more than $40,000 in damages related to the bite.

Staying Safe

Dog bites can happen nearly anywhere in your neighborhood, both inside and outside of the home. Here are a few ways you can stay safe when interacting with dogs you don’t know (and dogs you do know).

Don’t Be Afraid

Most dogs tend to be protective of their home and will sound the alarm if someone or something is nearby. This is the cause of the dog that always barks when you stroll past their home. While it can seem intimidating to hear a barking dog, it doesn’t always mean the dog will attack. Maintaining a confident attitude will translate to the dog and decrease your chances of an encounter.

Stop or Slow Down

If you do see an unleashed dog staring your down, slow down or stop your activity. Running or speeding up your gait can be seen as a threat, so stop. Dogs love to chase moving things, including you.

Tell Him to Go Home

Without staring at the dog (don’t lock eyes), tell him to “go home”, “stop”, or even “sit”. One command could hit home and buy you some time as you move away from the dog and somewhere safer.

Tell the Owner

If you are inside a friend’s home and their dog is making you uncomfortable, tell the owner. It is better to be safe than sorry and a good dog owner will remove their dog from the room to keep guests safe and comfortable.

If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, it can be scary.  Seek medical attention immediately, even if you believe the bite wasn’t bad. Do your best to remember where you were and what the dog looked like, and report the incident to the authorities. Then, call the team at Grewer Law.

Insurance repayment for dog bites can be overwhelming if you go at it alone. We have the experience to advocate effectively for you and get you the compensation you deserve to feel healthy and safe once again.