Simple steps to follow
It would make sense if you were now a little afraid of dogs.
It’s reasonable to think that a new phobia has been sparked by recent reports of animals attacking people, with some victims even dying.
This year has regrettably seen a series of vicious American XL bully attacks, the most recent of which is thought to be the reason a 54-year-old man died in Sunderland.
Of course, not all canines need to make you nervous. Actually, there are only a few that could be harmful.
Therefore, if you find yourself in the company of a more aggressive hound, there is advice you may heed.
Dr Debbye Turner Bell is a veterinarian who has previously provided crucial protocol to follow if an aggressive dog is posing a threat to you.
Here’s her advice, as per CBS, in case you end up in this unfortunate position:
1) Remain calm and still. Don’t run. This is a race you will not win. If you are alone, back away slowly. Do not turn your back.
2) If you are on the ground, curl into a fetal position, cover your head with your arms, and keep your fingers curled in a fist.
3) Avoid eye contact. Remember, staring an aggressive dog in the eyes is a challenge.
4) Do not smile at the dog.
5) Use a soft, soothing tone of voice. Loud, angry-sounding words and screaming only spur on the dog.
6) If it bites you, DO NOT PULL AWAY. This only spurs the dog on. Remain calm. Try to put something between you and the dog like your purse, jacket, bicycle, backpack, etc. Don’t hit the dog. Again, just makes the situation worse.
In England and Wales, police-recorded dog assaults have apparently increased by 34% in the last five years.
But figures from Merseyside Police may surprise you.
The compiled list of the most dangerous dog breeds is based on the number of bites and suffered and here’s the, rather interesting, top five:
5. Rottweiler
4. German Shepherd
3. Pitt Bull Terrier
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
1. Jack Russel
But as, Dr Bell points out, ‘ALL DOGS are capable of biting’.
She adds: “Biting has more to do with circumstances, behaviour, training (or lack thereof), and ignorance on the part of human beings.”
The main piece of advice to remember here is that if you are bitten, do your best to ‘remain calm’.
Man Spent $16,000 To ‘Become A Dog’ Barks Out In First Interview
A man from Japan has fulfilled a childhood dream of transforming into a human-sized rough collie dog, spending a considerable sum of $16,000 on an elaborate and incredibly realistic costume. He goes by the name Toco when dressed as the dog and finds going out for a walk on a leash to be “fulfilling his dream.”
Despite the fun aspect of dressing up as a dog, this pastime holds deeper significance for him. He had harbored this dream since he was a little child, and as an adult with sufficient disposable income, he could finally make it a reality.
Toco’s commitment to the role goes beyond merely wearing the costume. He even sleeps in a giant dog crate and had eagerly anticipated the chance to be taken for a walk outdoors. He shared his excitement with his fans on his YouTube channel, expressing how fulfilling it was for him to become a collie, an aspiration he had nurtured since childhood.
In the videos, Toco can be seen walking around his house, tending to his food and water bowls before heading out on a walk with his red leash unclipped from a wall hook. Though walking on four legs in the intricate suit takes more time than it would for a real dog, he still enjoyed a gentle stroll around the neighborhood before returning home to rest.
Toco gained attention when pictures of him in the high-end costume surfaced online last year. He has since become quite popular on YouTube, amassing nearly 30,000 subscribers. The custom-made costume, crafted by Zeppet, a Japanese company specializing in lifelike models and sculptures for films, has been meticulously designed to replicate the structure and appearance of a dog’s skeleton and coat.
Despite his online fame, Toco prefers to keep his true identity a secret, not even disclosing it to his friends. He fears they might find his passion strange, and indeed, his friends and family were taken aback when they discovered his unique pursuit.
While it’s certainly an unusual sight, it’s essential to remember that Toco’s happiness and fulfillment matter most, and whatever brings him joy is worthy of acceptance
Medical Expert Explains Why You Should Never Kiss Your Dog On Its Mouth
Given how much time dogs spend licking their behinds every day, you might think that people wouldn’t need reminding, but it turns out that they do.
There are several reasons—other than the fact that it’s just strange behavior—why you should avoid getting close to your animal friend’s mouth, according to TikTok expert @medexplained2you.
The medical expert said: “Do you kiss your dog on the mouth? Because if so, it’s time to stop.
“You could actually lose your limbs over it.
“I’m unfortunately not kidding, because kissing your dog on the mouth can actually cause an infection with something called Capnocytophaga Canimorsus.
“This is a serious illness that can cause widespread stomach infection, septic shock and even gangrene.
“Depending on how fast it progresses and when it’s diagnosed, amputation may become the only treatment.”
He added: “Why not avoid all that trouble and just stop tongue-ing your dog?
“Seems like an easy fix to me.”
Although it is uncommon, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports the TikToker’s assertions.
According to the website, “Capnocytophaga germs can infrequently transfer to people by dog or cat bites, scratches, or other intimate contact and may result in sickness, including sepsis.
“The majority of people who come into contact with dogs or cats don’t get sick.
“People who have a weaker immune system who have trouble fighting off infections (for instance, people with cancer or those taking certain medications like steroids) are at greater risk of getting sick.”
No matter how adorable they are, it doesn’t seem worth risking an arm or a leg for a sloppy kiss with your dog.
According to CNN, an American woman named Marie Trainer actually had to have a leg amputated in 2019 as a result of “dog kisses.”
The nightmarish bacterium Capnocytophaga Canimorsus is reported to have infected Trainer, ‘possibly’ after Taylor, Trainer’s German dog, licked an open wound.
She was “delirious” when she arrived at the hospital, and in intensive care, she passed out.
She first got a “purplish-red” tinge to her skin before gangrene set in and caused a blood clot.
Nine days later, she awoke without her hands or legs.
Trainer had two dogs and declared at the time that she had no plans to give them up because they made her smile the most.
