Avoid Being Bitten by a Dog

The American Veterinary Medical Association offers these following tips...

Posted: May 15, 2011, 3 a.m. EDT

To avoid a dog bite, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) offers the following tips:

Don’t run past a dog. The dog’s natural instinct is to chase and catch you.
If a dog's behavior seems threatening, don’t scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.
Don’t approach a strange dog, especially one that’s tethered or confined.
People choosing to pet dogs should obtain permission from the owner first and always let a dog see and sniff them before petting the animal.
If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between yourself and the dog, such as a backpack or a bicycle.

To help educate the public about dog bites, the AVMA developed an online brochure. The AVMA also maintains a dog bite prevention facebook page.