Dogs that owners cannot control should never be free-roaming

Regarding the question of whether dogs should be kept confined or free-roaming, it actually depends on the dog's own personality. If it is a dog like a Golden Retriever, which by nature is relatively gentle and very approachable, then generally free-roaming poses no big problem. But if the dog’s temperament is naturally irritable, quick-tempered, and somewhat neurotic, then it is best to keep it confined. Recently, a six-year-old girl was bitten on the face by a vicious dog, leaving two bleeding wounds. Even after healing, the scars may remain.

At around 5 pm on March 30, a 6-year-old girl named Xiao Heyan from Gongkou Village, Chen Dai, Jinjiang was knocked down not far from home by a black dog. Two bleeding wounds were bitten on her little face, with the largest being about 4 centimeters long. Although the wounds have been sutured through surgery, the doctor said scars will remain after healing. The house where the incident happened is a Nanyang-style stone structure house with a stone railing about 1.2 meters high on the side facing the road. The gaps between the railings are about 10 centimeters wide. The black local dog that bit the girl is about 70 centimeters tall and is chained to a nearby window with an iron chain. When reporters arrived, the dog immediately rushed to the stone railing, barked twice, and looked somewhat scary.

Generally, dogs do not attack people easily unless the dog itself is somewhat neurotic or they feel their territory has been invaded. To prevent bites or attacks, both owners and passersby should be extra cautious. Usually, dogs in cities that stay close to their owners will not bite people unprovoked. They only attack when they feel themselves or their puppies are threatened, or when alarmed by a sudden loud noise or chased by other animals or humans. Especially during the dog's heat period, their temperament is irritable and they are more prone to attack, so it is best to stay away to avoid accidental injury.

Make proper warnings

As for passersby, we should learn to read the situation and know under what circumstances it is best not to approach a dog. Usually, when a dog is about to attack, it shows certain signs, such as raised fur, staring directly at the person, low growling sounds, ears pinned back, and eyes fixed tightly on you. The body slightly crouches, legs spread firmly on the ground, tail wagging slightly, head raised while growling quietly. Most dogs will warn before they attack.

So what should you do when a dog attacks you? First, stay calm and composed; don't run wildly. The faster you move, the more likely the dog is to attack. If you really cannot avoid it, try throwing something to distract the dog’s attention—but not to hit the dog, as that will only make it think you are provoking it. You can also yell loudly to see if the owner appears to take the dog away.

Dog owners should pay attention: if their dog is usually gentle and doesn’t tend to attack, it can be allowed to roam freely. However, dogs can get nervous and may act aggressively when tense, so whether outside or in other situations, it is best to put a leash on the dog. If the dog has a bad temper and doesn’t listen to advice, it’s better not to take it outside to prevent it from losing control and biting others. Therefore, whether confining or letting dogs roam, appropriate safety measures must be taken to prevent dogs from attacking people.