Yet another vicious XL Bully attack has left Brits on high alert, with many wondering how they would escape the jaws of one of these potentially dangerous beasts.
An 84-year-old man remains in a critical condition after a dog believed to be an unregistered XL bully dragged him into a garden in Warrington. The animal in question has since been destroyed, along with a second suspected XL Bully found at the property, but terror remains high as a trend for big, fearsome-looking dogs continues to escalate up and down the UK.
Speaking yesterday, Chief Constable Mark Roberts, of Cheshire Police, said: “These dogs are like weapons; their physical attributes can make it like owning a loaded firearm with a questionable safety catch. The sheer size and ferocity of these animals mean that our firearms officers had to discharge 19 shots into them – all of which hit their targets.”
Owners of XL Bullies, the most notorious of the dangerous dog breeds, must now register their animals, and keep them muzzled – but as this nightmare incident illustrates, such laws are no guarantee of public safety.
But what can a person do if faced by an unmuzzled XL Bully looking to pounce? And is it possible to escape?
The Mirror spoke with James Hare, a qualified dog trainer from PuppyandDog training, who expressed sadness over this latest horror attack. James said: “Again, we find ourselves in the event of another dog attack which has made media headlines. Sadly, another ‘suspected’ XL Bully, who was not muzzled has violently attacked an unregistered dog.
“Firstly, I want to offer my sympathy to anyone who has experienced a dog attack and condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one from an attack. Sadly, in the UK, dog bites occur on a daily basis with some staggering figures, but the majority of these never make the media.”
Staying calm
Although it’s certainly easier said than done, James has encouraged readers to remain calm if they are confronted by a dog of any breed, not just the widely discussed XL Bully.
According to James: “Looking at ways to help yourself from any dog attack, not just an XL Bully, would include, remaining as calm as possible. This is difficult, of course it is, but it is essential.
Don’t run
And there’s one potentially fatal mistake you should avoid at all costs – even if it feels like the most natural thing to do.
James warned: “Do not run away from the dog, this will heighten the dog, its chase instinct will kick in and make things worse. You could slip, trip and fall.”
No eye contact
Although we humans view making eye contact as a sign of trust and openness, this means something quite different in the language of dogs and should be avoided.
James urged: “Do not make eye contact with the dog. Eye contact with your dog can be intimidating and can be perceived as threatening behaviour from us.”
This is a view also shared by dog behaviourist, Zoe Willingham, who told the Mirror: “Dogs often interpret direct eye contact as a challenge. Avoid staring the dog in the eyes and try to stay as calm as possible. Sudden movements or panicking can escalate the situation.
“This is incredibly difficult when faced with the force of a big dog, ultimately trying to get away and put barriers between you and the dog is the goal, but with force of this level it can be almost impossible once a dog of this size is on you.”
Gain height
As explained by James, gaining some height – if possible – could help to stave off a potentially ferocious attack.
James explained: “Try and gain some height if possible, again, it will depend on the area you are in. If you can use anything at all to create a barrier, backpacks, coats, briefcases, of course, it is all going to be very dependent on where the attack takes place, and what is available to you at the time.”
Call for help
Zoe has urged those who find themselves in this terrifying situation to call for help, or look for possible escape routes.
She explained: “Help is often your best option as others can help disorientate the dog by using covers over the dog’s face such as clothing or even water if it happens to occur somewhere where it can be used.
“Help can also call the emergency services and get things under control very quickly. Once help is there, being as quiet as possible can de-escalate further trigger of the dogs predatory behaviours.”
What to do if bitten
In the unfortunate event that you are bitten by a dog, James has offered some advice on what to do – and what not to do.
James said: “In the event that a dog does bite, never attempt to open its mouth. If the dog has a collar, again, in these situations a lot of logic will disappear, but try and grab the back of the collar and twist it, effectively cutting off the ability to breath so release has to occur.”
Protect vital areas
As awful as it is to think about, Zoe has warned readers to make sure to protect their most vulnerable areas, should they be set upon by a ferocious dog.
She advised: “If the dog is closing in on you and an attack seems imminent, protect your face, neck, and chest—areas that are particularly vulnerable. Use an object like a backpack, jacket, or stick, if available, to shield yourself. Keep your body in front of these areas while trying to back away slowly.”
If necessary, defend yourself
If an attack is already underway, you may need to take steps to defend yourself, but there are some things to avoid.
According to Zoe: “If the dog has already attacked, you may need to defend yourself to prevent further injury. Focus on the dog’s head and face to disorient it. Use any available objects to push the dog away. Avoid using your hands or feet for direct contact, as this can increase your chances of being bitten.
“Any dog attack can be incredibly terrifying and life-threatening, so anyone finding themselves in this situation needs to get help asap.”
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