How To Avoid A New Haven Dog Bite Injury When Interacting With A Stray Dog

There is something magnetic about seeing a stray dog that many people, at least dog people, want to approach the dog and help it find its way, but this can bring with it some pitfalls. If you’re interacting with a stray dog you may be putting yourself at risk of experiencing a New Haven dog bite injury which could become serious and cause you long-term health issues. It is for this reason that if you’re planning on interacting with a stray dog you should keep some general safety tips in mind so you don’t get hurt or cause any harm to the dog as well.

Before you think about interacting with the stray dog you may consider contacting the authorities to approach the animal instead of you approaching it. This is because animal control officers are trained to interact with dogs who may be lost or not aware of their surroundings. These officers also have the tools that are required to interact with the dog so that she/he is not afraid and is able to be guided back to her/his owner or taken to a shelter where she/he will be adopted by a family who will not allow the animal to be stray again. This may be your best approach to interacting with a stray dog so you do not get involved in any way that could be detrimental to you or the dog.

With that being said, there are some steps you can take to make sure that if you do approach a dog that does not have a leash, a collar or an identification, that you are doing so safely and with the best interest of you and the animal in mind. If you follow these steps you will likely be able to find some help for the animal without putting yourself at risk.

Step #1: Keep a safe distance. While you might be able to approach the animal you will want to do so slowly and calmly to allow the dog to keep a safe distance and not be startled by someone that she/he is unfamiliar with. Keep in mind that the animal may already feel scared because its surroundings are unfamiliar and this could put the dog on edge.

Step #2: Avoid sudden movements. The last thing you want to do when you’re approaching a stray dog is to startle the animal. Quick movements can frighten the dog and put the animal in a defensive posture that could lead to a dog bite. Similarly to step #1 you will want to approach slowly and gently so you are not putting the dog further on edge.

Step #3: Offer treats. If you find the dog roaming around and you happen to have dog treats available to you you can use these treats to develop trust with the animal. You should approach slowly and offer the treats from a distance.

Step #4: Read body language. No one expects you to be a body language expert when it comes to dogs, but if you are able to pay attention to the animal’s body language you can better understand the situation that you find yourself in. Make no contact with a stray dog that is growling or snarling or showing its teeth. If the animal is doing any of these things as you approach, back away slowly.

Step #5: Do not attempt to pet the dog. As mentioned above the animal may be fearful or aggressive and in either case you may only serve to exacerbate the situation by trying to pet the dog. This is the step at which you should abandon approaching the dog all together and then formally contact the authorities to notify them of the dogs existence and location so they can take over and handle getting the animal to safety.

You should keep in mind that even if a dog seems friendly at first, you should maintain a safe distance and always do your best to be respectful and cautious when approaching the animal. You will not want to put yourself in a situation where you are interacting with an aggressive dog that could lead to getting involved in a New Haven dog bite incident that leaves you injured and with life long pain, all because you were trying to help a dog in need. Do not sacrifice your safety for the safety of a dog.

If you were to get bitten by a dog you may need to speak with an attorney who has experience with these types of situations. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you on protecting your long-term interests.