Fayetteville Animal Shelter
and Animal Services
1640 Armstrong Road
Fayetteville, AR 72701-7231
(479)444-3456
How NOT to Get Bitten
To avoid being bitten, remember some basic
hints. And parents, remind your children!
- Be a tree! Stand still. Cross your hands in front of your chest.
Don't run or yell.
- Don't stare right at a dog who comes up to you. Watch him out
of the corner of your eye.
- If a dog chases you, stop. Don't scream. Cross your hands in front of your chest. Then walk
away slowly backwards.
- If a dog chases you on your bike, stop, get off your bike, and
put your bike between you and the dog.
- Be careful going up to dogs you don't know. Not all dogs are friendly.
- If you have permission to pet someone else's dog, don't run up to the dog or grab the dog.
Walk up slowly and quietly and let the dog sniff your hand first. Then pet the dog gently under
the chin.
- Don't treat a strange dog like your own--your own dog may permit you
to do things that frighten or anger a dog who doesn't know you.
- Don't play rough with any dog.
- If a dog growls at you, or if it moves away, don't chase after it.
- Don't frighten or startle a dog, especially when it's sleeping.
- Don't try to take a toy or food away from a dog.
- Don't try to pet a dog through a fence, car window, or cage.
- Don't try to punish a dog. Never hit at one.
- Remember that sometimes cats bite and scratch.
A special handout has been prepared for kids.
Return to the Fayetteville Animal
Shelter and Animal Services homepage.