If you think that you’ll never have to worry about dog attacks because you don’t own dogs or live near dog owners, you’re wrong. Many times, dog attacks occur in places you assume are completely safe, like a jogging path or your neighborhood park. There is little else as terrifying as seeing a dog or a pack of dogs charging your way. No matter where you are, you are at risk of encountering an unfriendly dog, and you must know what to do if it happens to you.
Dogs can be unpredictable. You never know what they’re thinking, or what they might do next. Even a familiar dog could turn on you. Dogs most often attack out of fear or when they are surprised or disturbed, although these are certainly not the only reasons. Many dogs also become too excited and worked up while playing; this can cause them to start nipping or biting by accident. An aggressive dog my be growling, snarling, or barking, although some dogs don’t show any signs of being provoked until they attack.