A dog behaviour specialist has offered some potentially life-saving advice for those who find themselves under attack from a canine. This guidance comes after the UK government banned the sale of American XL Bully dogs in October 2023, following a series of attacks and fatalities involving the breed. An attack in August this year saw XL Bully owner David Daintree, 53, fatally mauled to death by his canine in his own home in Liverpool. David was tragically pronounced dead on at the scene after the dog was shot down. Last year’s surge in dog attacks has left worried members of the public to consider what they should do if they come into a situation with a dangerous dog such as an XL Bully or if they’re being mauled themselves, the Express reports. According to an American Bully XL enthusiast who spoke to the Guardian in August last year, these dogs are so strong that “no man on this earth could hold them”. In response, Jane Williams, a committee member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), has shared her advice on how to handle a dog attack by highlighting three key strategies that could save your life in such a situation. Obstruction Firstly, she emphasised the importance of finding a safe space or corner to protect yourself from multiple sides during an attack. She said: “If you can get into a corner that will help from being attacked from multiple sides. You also want to be beside or find some sort of physical barrier that can be placed between you and the dog.” Creating a barrier between yourself and an aggressive dog, such as through a door or wall, could be crucial for safety. Distraction If you are able to erect a physical barrier, remember that “a dog can come around the side of it”, so this method might not always ensure your safety. In such cases, distracting the dog could be an effective way to protect yourself or someone else from harm. Jane advised: “Anyone who might find themselves in a situation where they see a dog attack can try and distract the dog with food. It can be any kind of food, and will often work as a good way to turn the dog’s attention elsewhere.” Initially, attempt to catch the dog’s eye by tossing some food away at a considerable distance, giving the attacked individual a chance to reach safety. Using physical force as a distraction should be considered only as a last resort. She added: “People do often intervene in these things and are very brave, but there’s also the potential for the other person to then become a target.” Loud noises Video footage of an incident last year showed an 11-year-old girl being set upon by a crossbreed American Bully XL/Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy before it went after two men at a petrol station in Bordesley Green, Birmingham. In such scenarios, making loud noises could disorient the dog and break its concentration, Jane suggests. She explained: “You need that sort of distraction to be happening at a distance, so if you’re in your car like those people at the petrol station, you should sound the horn to see if it interrupts the attack. You should certainly do that before you get out and try and intervene yourself.” Before the XL Bully dog ban in the UK was put in place last year, seven fatal dog attacks took place in Britain in 2023, with two believed to have involved American Bully XLs. Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our newsletter here.
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