Pitbulls get a bad rap for being aggressive and dangerous. There are lots of stories in the news about pitbull attacks and home invaders hiding their pitbull when breaking into someone’s home. However, just like any other breed, not all pit bulls are violent or aggressive dogs. They are often loyal pets that love their owners and make excellent watchdogs because of their alert nature. But even well-behaved Pitbulls may attack if provoked or startled by something unexpected in their environment. It is important to know what to do in case you ever witness an unprovoked attack by a pit bull, or if you find yourself face-to-face with one who seems ready to attack you. Keep reading for advice on how to stop a pitbull attack – both for the dog itself and for others who may be at risk from it – so that no one gets hurt.
How To Stop Pitbull Attack
- If you see a pitbull attacking a person, do not interfere.
- If you can get the attention of the owner, ask for help in getting the dog off of the victim.
- Do not approach or attempt to touch the dog yourself. Instead, call 911 and let them handle it from there.
- Get away from any dog that seems to be out of control and may be about to attack someone else.
- If your pet is being attacked by a pit bull, do not approach it yourself – instead, call 911 immediately and let them handle it from there.
- If you have a gun or other weapon on you at all times – especially if you are in public – make sure that it is out of reach before approaching any aggressive animal or any animal at all (including your pet).
- Never try to use your dog as a distraction to distract an attacking pit bull.
- Do not approach the attacking pitbull yourself, as it could be a distraction that causes the dog to turn on you.
- If you have any kind of weapon on you and can, use it to try and deter the dog from attacking.
- If confronted by a pit bull at close range, do not run away – instead, fight back! People have been killed by pit bulls after running away in fear when they were attacked.
What To Do If A Pitbull Attacks You
1. Escape By Running
If you are attacked by a pit bull, the first thing to do is to get away from it. This may mean running into another room or down the street. If you have children with you, they will need to be kept safe until you can get them out of the situation safely. If there is a pool in your home, get into it and swim away from the dog. Alternatively, if there is a fence or other barrier around your property, climb over it and run for safety.
2. Ignore The Dog And Walk Away Slowly
When an animal attacks you, its instinct is to protect itself from danger. You should immediately let it know that you are not a threat by walking slowly away from it. If possible, go back to your vehicle and wait for help or for someone else to call animal control or law enforcement authorities on their cell phone so that they can come to remove the dog from your yard or home.
3. Call Animal Control Or Law Enforcement
If you are alone when the attack occurs, you may not have the option of ignoring it and walking away. Instead, call animal control or law enforcement immediately in your area. You can do this by dialing 911 on your cell phone or calling their non-emergency number and reporting the incident. If you are in a public place where there is an emergency phone, such as a gas station, convenience store, or restaurant, use that to call for help instead of using your cell phone.
4. Keep Yourself Safe From Pitbulls Until Animal Control Arrives
The best way to ensure that no one else gets hurt by a dog attack is to be aware of what is going on around you and to keep yourself safe from the dog. Even if no one else is present when an attack happens, it can still happen again at any time – so stay alert for strange noises outside or inside your home or yard and get out of harm’s way immediately.
5. Get To A Safe Place If You Can
If you can get out of the situation, do so immediately. If you are alone, get into your car and drive away from the dog as quickly as possible. If there is no car available, walk or run away from it. It may be safer to stay inside your home until help arrives instead of trying to run away from it on foot or in your car. If you cannot safely get into your house, go to a friend’s house and wait for help there until animal control arrives at the scene of the attack or until law enforcement officers arrive at the scene of the attack and remove the dog from your yard or home.
How To Stop A Pitbull From Attacking
- If you see a pitbull attacking someone or something, do not approach the dog. Instead, back away from it and call your local animal control agency immediately to report the attack.
- If the pitbull is alone, do not approach it. Instead, call your local animal control agency to report the attack and wait for them to arrive.
- If you see a pitbull attacking someone or something and cannot get away from it without getting too close or putting yourself in danger, try to distract it with a threat or high-pitched sound. This will usually cause the dog to back off long enough for you to escape safely.
- If the dog is not alone, keep your distance and call your local animal control agency immediately to report the attack and wait for them to arrive.
- If you are unable to get away from an attacking dog, drop whatever you are holding and cover your head with both hands (this will protect you from bites). Try not to move as much as possible during an attack to avoid being bitten by the dog’s teeth or nails – though this may be impossible if the dog is trying very hard to bite you.
- If the dog does not back off after several seconds, move away from it and try again to distract the dog with a treat or high-pitched sound. If the dog continues to approach, back up and call your local animal control agency immediately to report that you are being attacked.
- If the dog is still not backing off after several seconds, move away from it and call your local animal control agency immediately to report the attack and wait for them to arrive.
- If you are still unable to get away from the attacking dog, drop whatever you are holding and cover your head with both hands (this will protect you from bites). Try not to move as much as possible during an attack to avoid being bitten by the dog’s teeth or nails – though this may be impossible if the dog is trying very hard to bite you.
Helping Someone Who Is Being Attacked By A Pitbull
- First, always call 911 if you are in a situation where you can’t defend yourself.
- If the dog is on its hind legs, do not approach it. It is better to back away slowly and let the dog come to you than to attempt an aggressive confrontation that could send the dog over the edge and into a full-blown attack.
- If the dog is on all fours and is approaching you, run away from it.
- If the dog is on its hind legs, walk backward slowly and let the dog come to you.
- If the dog has stopped to sniff or investigate something, back away slowly, giving the dog a chance to see that you are not a threat to it.
- If it attacks again, keep moving until it loses interest in you and attacks another person or animal instead (which will usually happen sooner than later).
Conclusion
Dogs are often unfairly stereotyped as aggressive or dangerous based on the breed they belong to. Most dogs are friendly and playful animals that love being around people and families. However, any breed can be aggressive, and even the friendliest, most well-behaved dogs can be triggered into a violent attack by something in their environment – whether a sudden noise, an unfamiliar person, or a threat to their owner. If you own a pitbull, follow the tips above to keep your dog happy and healthy, and be aware of the risks that come with the breed so you can be prepared in the event of an attack. If you witness a pitbull attack, keep yourself safe and follow the steps above to try to stop the attack.