Sohu Sports reports that BBC recently covered how women’s marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe was bitten by a dog during a training run in Monaco. The 37-year-old athlete was then taken to the hospital for treatment. Fortunately, she only suffered minor injuries and it posed no hindrance to her training.
If you’ve ever gone running, chances are you have your own “dog-chasing story” (hopefully not ending with you getting bitten). Below are some tips on how to handle encountering dogs while running.
1. Don’t keep staring at it. If the dog sees you staring, it may perceive you as a threat (and thus attack you).
2. If you encounter a dog while running, immediately stop running, turn around, and go in another direction or cross the street before continuing. Getting chased by a dog mid-run isn't usually much fun. Likewise, if you walk away in the opposite direction, it won’t see you as a territorial threat (and is less likely to hurt you). So never turn back mid-run if you can help it.
3. If you see a dog approaching you, stop moving, stand still, and don’t shout or make sudden movements. Firmly and calmly say things like “Go home,” “Sit,” or “Stop.”
4. If a dog tries to jump on you, sidestep and use your arm to push it away.
5. If you frequently encounter the same aggressive dog, consider changing your running route. You can also report the situation to the local animal control association (so they can address it). (Source: YiYan Network angel520)