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How to Protect Yourself From a Dog Attack
To protect yourself from a dog attack, stay calm, avoid running or sudden movements, and, when possible, use a backpack, jacket, or other object as a barrier. If the dog knocks you down, protect your face, head, and neck. Once you reach safety, seek medical care and document the incident.
A Guide to Staying Safe During a Stressful Encounter
Knowing how to protect yourself from a dog attack can help you respond calmly when an unleashed or aggressive dog approaches. If you are walking in Illinois and a dog charges, avoid actions that may escalate the encounter, create distance or a barrier when possible, and seek medical and legal help if you are injured.
What You Should NOT Do When an Off-Leash Dog Approaches
Dogs are animals and will, therefore, respond instinctively to your actions as they approach. If you react poorly, you could make the situation worse and make the dog more likely to attack you.
Here are some things you should NOT do to keep yourself and the dog safe:
- Do NOT run away from the dog, even if you are afraid. Running may encourage the dog to chase you.
- Do NOT scream or make sudden movements, which may increase the dog’s excitement or fear.
- Do NOT turn your back on the dog, as it can leave you unable to monitor its movements.
What You SHOULD Do: How to Project Calm and Control
Being proactive in your response can make a huge difference in preventing an attack. If you are wondering how to defend yourself against a dog, the first priority is to remain calm and avoid escalating the encounter. Let’s discuss some steps you can take to de-escalate the situation.
Remain Calm and Still
Dogs often respond to the behavior of the people around them, so if you panic and move around a lot, you can make them more anxious and potentially more aggressive. Think of yourself as a tree in this situation and stand still, keep your arms close, and avoid sudden movements. Staying calm may give the dog less reason to view you as a threat.
Use Your Body Language to De-escalate
Body language is critical when approaching a dog. If you face it directly, the dog may see it as confrontational. Also, avoid turning your back on them completely. Instead, turn your body slightly to the side while still facing the dog somewhat. This suggests that you are neither confrontational nor completely vulnerable.
Avoid direct eye contact with the dog for a prolonged period, as the dog may interpret it as a challenge. Learning the warning signs a dog is about to bite can also help you recognize when an approaching dog is becoming stressed or aggressive and give you an opportunity to create distance.
Create a Barrier Between You and the Dog
If you have objects nearby, such as a purse, backpack, or jacket, hold one up between you and the dog to act as a shield. Similarly, stationary objects, such as road signs or trees, can also serve as a shield when an off-leash dog approaches.
Creating distance and placing an object between yourself and an approaching dog can be useful parts of a dog attack response. Avoid trying to grab or physically control the animal unless there is no safer alternative.
Use a Firm, Authoritative Voice
When you encounter off-leash dogs, you can interrupt their behavior with a firm, authoritative voice. Try using a deep-toned command such as “no,” “down,” “go home,” or “stay.” A firm voice can help you maintain control, but avoid screaming or making frantic movements.
What to Do If a Dog Attacks You While Walking
If you are walking and a dog attacks, knowing what to do can help you focus on protecting yourself instead of panicking. The goal is to create distance, protect vulnerable areas, and get to safety.
1. Stay as calm as possible. Do not run if the dog is approaching or chasing you.
2. Use an object as a barrier if you have a backpack, purse, jacket, bicycle, or other item available.
3. Back away slowly when possible while keeping the dog in your peripheral vision.
4. If the dog knocks you down, curl into a protective position and cover your face, head, and neck.
5. Once you can safely get away, move to a secure location and ask for help.
6. Get medical attention for any bite or other injury, even if the wound initially appears minor.
7. Document the incident by photographing injuries and identifying the dog and its owner if it can be done safely.
These steps can also help you survive a dog attack when an encounter becomes physical. Your safety should come before trying to control or restrain the dog.
Dog Attack Deterrents: What to Carry
A dog attack deterrent may help create distance, but no product is guaranteed to stop an attacking dog. A sturdy backpack, jacket, walking stick, umbrella, or other object can provide a physical barrier without requiring you to approach the animal.
Will Pepper Spray Stop a Dog Attack?
Pepper spray may deter some dogs, but it can also create risks if it is used incorrectly or if wind carries the spray toward you or another person. Do not assume that pepper spray will reliably stop an attack. If you carry any defensive spray, check applicable Illinois and local rules before relying on it.
Will a Taser Stop a Dog Attack?
A taser or other conducted-energy device should not be treated as a reliable dog attack deterrent. Attempting to use a device that requires close proximity can also put you within reach of the animal. A physical barrier and creating distance may be safer options when they are available.
An air horn may also startle some dogs, while citronella-based deterrents are sometimes used to discourage approaching dogs. The appropriate response depends on the circumstances, and attorney review is recommended before making specific claims about the legality of carrying or using a particular deterrent in Illinois.
How to React if the Off-Leash Dog Attacks Your Dog
One fear dog owners have is seeing others attack their beloved pets. This is especially scary for small-dog owners.
If another dog attempts to attack or bite your dog while walking, avoid putting your hands between the animals. Move toward a safe barrier or other protected position when possible. If you can safely separate the dogs without exposing yourself to a bite, do so, but do not take unnecessary risks.
Leash Laws in Illinois
Illinois leash laws and local animal-control rules can regulate when dogs must be restrained or controlled. Local requirements vary, so check the specific ordinance that applies to the location of the incident.
A leash-law violation can be relevant evidence in a dog-injury claim, but an alleged violation does not by itself establish civil liability under 510 ILCS 5/16. The circumstances of the encounter still matter, including whether the person was acting peaceably, was lawfully present, and did not provoke the animal.
For more information about the legal rules that may apply, review our Illinois dog bite laws.
Owner Responsibility for Off-Leash Dogs
In Illinois, the Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16) states that if a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures a person who is peaceably conducting themselves in a place where they may lawfully be, the owner is liable for civil damages for the full amount of the injury proximately caused by the animal.
Illinois law therefore does not make every off-leash encounter an automatic liability claim. The facts of the incident must be evaluated under the Animal Control Act’s requirements. The statute’s definition of “owner” also extends beyond someone who simply holds title to an animal and can include someone who keeps, harbors, cares for, or acts as the animal’s custodian.
What to Do After the Encounter
After an encounter with an aggressive dog, focus first on your health and then preserve information that may help establish what happened.
1. Get to safety and seek medical attention for any bite, puncture, laceration, fall injury, or other physical harm.
2. Report the loose or attacking dog to the appropriate local animal-control agency. For guidance, see how to report a dog bite to Chicago Animal Control.
3. Gather evidence such as photographs of your injuries, the location, the dog, witness contact information, and available surveillance footage.
4. Identify the owner or person responsible for the dog if you can do so safely.
5. Keep medical records and other documentation related to the incident and your injuries.
If you were injured, speaking with an attorney can help you understand whether you may have a claim under Illinois law.
Illinois generally gives you two years to file a personal injury claim after the cause of action accrues under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Exceptions may apply, so do not assume the deadline in your individual case.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a dog attacks you while walking, stay calm, avoid running, create a barrier if possible, and protect your head, face, and neck if you are knocked down. Once you reach safety, seek medical attention and document the incident.
Pepper spray may deter some dogs, but it can’t guarantee it will stop an attack. Wind, improper use, and the circumstances of the encounter can affect its effectiveness and safety. Check applicable Illinois and local rules before carrying or using a defensive spray.
A taser is not a reliable way to stop a dog attack. Attempting to use a device that requires close proximity may also increase the risk of being bitten. When possible, creating distance or using a physical barrier may be safer.
Stay calm, avoid running, and use a backpack, jacket, umbrella, or another object as a barrier. If the dog knocks you down, protect your face, head, and neck. The priority is getting to safety while avoiding unnecessary physical contact with the animal.
Usually, running isn’t recommended when an unfamiliar dog approaches or chases you because it may encourage the dog to pursue you. Instead, remain as calm as possible, avoid sudden movements, and look for a safe way to create distance or reach a secure location.
Not automatically. Under 510 ILCS 5/16, liability depends on the circumstances, including whether the animal attacked, attempted to attack, or injured a person without provocation while that person was peaceably and lawfully present. A local leash-law violation may be relevant but does not by itself establish liability.
Dog Bite Legal Help in Illinois
An encounter with an off-leash dog can result in puncture wounds, lacerations, infections, broken bones, and other injuries. If you were injured, dog bite prevention information may help you understand future safety risks, while an attorney can evaluate the legal issues arising from an injury that already occurred.
Our Chicago dog bite attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome.
If an off-leash dog has injured you or seriously threatened you, contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Illinois lawyer.
This article is for general information and is not legal advice.
Legally Reviewed By
Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld
Content legally reviewed by Jonathan Rosenfeld The information on this page has been legally reviewed by Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld, founder and managing partner of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC. With extensive experience representing dog bite victims across Chicago, Mr. Rosenfeld is dedicated to helping injury victims hold negligent dog owners accountable and pursue the maximum compensation available under the law. His deep legal knowledge and commitment to client advocacy ensure that the information provided is accurate, reliable, and aligned with current legal standards.