How to Handle Loose Dog Encounters

When three Southeast Elementary School students  two faculty members acted out of instinct to save them.

"One dog had actually latched onto a student," said principal Shaton Wolverton, when Melanie Senerchra, a teacher's aide, lifted the child off of the ground to save her. Physical education teacher Joseph Santor kicked one of the dogs that had pinned a student to the ground, then sat on it to restrain it. According to police, Santor was bitten in the chest while struggling with the dog.

In this case, Senerchra and Santor's actions saved the kids, but what if it happens to you or your child? Local animal experts shared with Patch tips on how to act when you or your kid is approached by a loose dog.

Linda Estrada from the Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge, 10305 Southwest Highway, said that being calm is the key. “If you run or scream, it’s like a dog chasing a rabbit,” she said. She suggests people take the following precautions:

• Have NO eye contact with the dog, because “it is usually a threat,” Estrada said.

• Give soft commands in a monotone voice such as “Go home,” “lay down,” hold your arms out and walk in a slow way.

• Command “no” in a deeper, but non-threatening voice.
• Running is the worst, because it’s a chase and recovery, but it’s also your first reaction.
• Estrada advises not to throw arms around, scream or do anything to excite the dog.

“I think that some people think that dogs, sometimes when they’re running around, are in such a freedom mode,” said Estrada, but if you pay closer attention, “a lot of times you can tell by the body language what’s going to happen.”

In addition, Dr. Roy Hubert of the  3000 W. 95th St., says that if approached by a dog, “stand like a tree, and if the dog does bite you, drop like a rock. Curl up in a ball.”

Estrada says it's important to know that “every animal is a different story, you never know,” but remember to be careful and not threaten or excite the animal.