One of the most startling and potentially dangerous situations that avid runners and pedestrians can face in New Jersey is an unleashed dog approaching them. There’s no way to know the animal’s intent as it approaches you in these situations and knowing what to do in the few moments you have to prepare are key to minimizing your risk of injury in a dog attack.

Every year in the United States, nearly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs, and to avoid becoming part of this statistic, remember our tips when confronted with a potentially dangerous canine. If you do get hurt, don’t hesitate to call a skilled New Jersey dog bite attorney right away. Your injuries will likely cost you thousands of dollars to treat, and the emotional trauma and financial hardship that often results from these incidents should be compensated.

What to Do to Avoid Dog Bite Injuries in NJ

While you may be tempted to grab the nearest stick and hit the dog, chances are you will only antagonize it further. Instead, consider the following actions to help you diffuse or delay the animal’s aggressive behavior until you can get help:

• Try to stay calm and think clearly so that you can act assertively and not in a reactionary manner.
• Don’t run or make quick movements that would entice the dog to become hostile or chase after you.
• If you see it ahead, give yourself a wider berth around it. It may be guarding its territory and by not approaching it, it likely won’t pursue you.
• Maintain a calm and happy voice while calmly instructing it to go home or to go find a toy. If it has an owner, then it may respond to your authority and leave you alone.
• If it attacks, do everything possible to protect areas of your body composed of soft tissue like your face, throat, and chest. Try to not yank your body away if it bites to avoid excessive tearing of your skin.

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While it’s impossible to know the intention of a canine approaching you while out on a morning run before work, being prepared for what could potentially happen is important. There is no magic formula to determine which breed of dog is most likely to bite, but taking steps to protect yourself in a potentially life-threatening situation is essential.

If you were hurt in a dog attack, contact our law firm right away for a free consultation.