Some advice on how to escape from canine aggression

I would like to state in advance that we are all animal and especially dog lovers here in the agency, just think that my managers are vegetarians and they even believe that all animals have a soul. I don’t want to get into discussing the recent controversy regarding the actions of Minister Sirchia and the negative press campaign regarding our four legged friends nor do I want to try to take the place of dog trainers.
I will limit what I say to a view pieces of advice on how to escape from canine aggression, believing myself to be an expert on this subject as detectives often have to deal with ferocious dogs, given that we often invade their territory.
When I see a dog running towards me with hostile intentions I only run away if I am certain of having a good probability of being able to run to safety, otherwise I would find myself having to face him a few metres on, after having stimulated his predatory instinct and having increased his sense of certainty that he is stronger than me.
If I am unable to escape, I wait for the dog without moving, without ever looking at him in the eyes, almost pretending to ignore him. In such cases if the dog is trained he will stop beside me, barking, he will wait for me to move before biting me. I then try to remain immobile and I call his owner, without screaming in a hysterical manner, to come and take his animal away.
If the dog should jump towards me to bite me, I will hold out my bag to him (even if it is a designer bag, it is still much less expensive than plastic surgery) or some folded garment, or anything that might remind him of the “muff” that he was used to tearing at when being trained. In this way he will become distracted, I should not allow him to suddenly tear the muff that I am using away from me, otherwise he could come back and attack me.
During such an operation I will try to speak to the dog in a low, calm voice, paying him the usual compliments: “Good doggie”, “Good boy, lie down now”…etc…
The following can be a very useful deterrent to be used on an angry dog:
Anti-aggression spray, but for animals curing spray is better; I have also encountered good results with mosquito spray.
In sudden situations I have used my bottle of spray perfume, that I always keep in my bag (and it’s a good thing that my managers didn’t hesitate to reimburse me for such a costly defence).
Anti-aggression sirens and stadium sirens
Another precaution, which is a favourite among my bosses, is to always carry some doggie biscuits with you, to quickly befriend your aggressor.
Detective SW

Published on: 28 Jul 2004