Are street dogs dangerous?
Not unless you give them a reason, or they have rabies (see below). Dog attacks, which create a bad reputation for street dogs despite their infrequency, are results of people's ignorance. Many people who disfavor dogs do not bother to learn about them, and as a result, their foul behaviors attract similar responses from dogs.
What (not) to do when we encounter street dogs?
. Do not pat a dog by taking your hand to his face with your palm facing down. It is the same move a person who slaps at him does! Instead, take your hand to him slowly with your palm facing up, and let him sniff your hand (smelling for dogs is like seeing for humans). He would either let you pat him, or move his face away to tell you that he doesn't want you to pat him. In the latter case, respect the choice, and leave him alone. Do not try to pat a dog without doing this sniffing test.
. If you are jogging or running, be mindful of the dogs around. Dogs are territorial animals by their nature. They would be inclined to protect their territory when an unusually fast object like a runner enters into what they perceive as their home. Most dog attacks happen because people are not aware of this simple principle. For this reason, running in dark is not a wise idea.
. If you encounter a street dog or a pack of them while you are walking your own dog, do not risk any altercations, and steer off. Dogs can feel threatened by other dogs, and because street dogs are not socialized dogs, they can show their nervousness by attacking your dog (However, if you know that a particular street dog is friendly with other people and dogs, you can cautiously let him and yours sniff each other. Some of my own dog's best friends are street dogs in our neighborhood!).
. If you see a dog eating food or drinking water, do not bother him! For him, you are a stranger with questionable goals. He would rightfully defend his food/water from you.
. Know how to read dogs' body language: If a dog is barking at you and his tail is wagging, it is a friendly display of your presence there. But if the tail is not wagging or if he is growling and showing his teeth, he doesn't want you there. If that is the case, follow the instructions about aggressive dogs given below.
What to do against an aggressive dog?
If you encounter a stray dog with an aggressive attitude, you need to do all four of these:
. Slow down your pace of moving (the reason why he/she shows signs of aggression is that he/she perceives you as a threat to himself or his puppies)
. Avoid direct contact and keep him/her to your peripheral vision.
. Remain calm (Dogs sense your feelings, and they tend to mimic them!)
. Change your direction away from the dog, and calmly walk away.
Do not pretend to grab a rock from the ground, or make scary sounds! They work against non-aggressive dogs only (accordingly, they are useless ideas), and they agitate an aggressive dog even further. Do not run, either. They will outrun you!
How about rabies?
Rabies is a deadly bacteria transmitted to humans mostly from infected dogs. While rabies is not a common condition in Turkey, its potential deadliness makes it a serious issue for humans, nonetheless. The best way of protecting yourself from rabies is to avoid animals with foamy mouths. If you see such an animal, call 155 for the police to send public health officials to the site (if you can't speak Turkish, any person around you would be glad to help you out). If you are bitten by any animal (rabid-looking or not), get a shot at the nearest hospital immediately.
Not unless you give them a reason, or they have rabies (see below). Dog attacks, which create a bad reputation for street dogs despite their infrequency, are results of people's ignorance. Many people who disfavor dogs do not bother to learn about them, and as a result, their foul behaviors attract similar responses from dogs.
What (not) to do when we encounter street dogs?
. Do not pat a dog by taking your hand to his face with your palm facing down. It is the same move a person who slaps at him does! Instead, take your hand to him slowly with your palm facing up, and let him sniff your hand (smelling for dogs is like seeing for humans). He would either let you pat him, or move his face away to tell you that he doesn't want you to pat him. In the latter case, respect the choice, and leave him alone. Do not try to pat a dog without doing this sniffing test.
. If you are jogging or running, be mindful of the dogs around. Dogs are territorial animals by their nature. They would be inclined to protect their territory when an unusually fast object like a runner enters into what they perceive as their home. Most dog attacks happen because people are not aware of this simple principle. For this reason, running in dark is not a wise idea.
. If you encounter a street dog or a pack of them while you are walking your own dog, do not risk any altercations, and steer off. Dogs can feel threatened by other dogs, and because street dogs are not socialized dogs, they can show their nervousness by attacking your dog (However, if you know that a particular street dog is friendly with other people and dogs, you can cautiously let him and yours sniff each other. Some of my own dog's best friends are street dogs in our neighborhood!).
. If you see a dog eating food or drinking water, do not bother him! For him, you are a stranger with questionable goals. He would rightfully defend his food/water from you.
. Know how to read dogs' body language: If a dog is barking at you and his tail is wagging, it is a friendly display of your presence there. But if the tail is not wagging or if he is growling and showing his teeth, he doesn't want you there. If that is the case, follow the instructions about aggressive dogs given below.
What to do against an aggressive dog?
If you encounter a stray dog with an aggressive attitude, you need to do all four of these:
. Slow down your pace of moving (the reason why he/she shows signs of aggression is that he/she perceives you as a threat to himself or his puppies)
. Avoid direct contact and keep him/her to your peripheral vision.
. Remain calm (Dogs sense your feelings, and they tend to mimic them!)
. Change your direction away from the dog, and calmly walk away.
Do not pretend to grab a rock from the ground, or make scary sounds! They work against non-aggressive dogs only (accordingly, they are useless ideas), and they agitate an aggressive dog even further. Do not run, either. They will outrun you!
How about rabies?
Rabies is a deadly bacteria transmitted to humans mostly from infected dogs. While rabies is not a common condition in Turkey, its potential deadliness makes it a serious issue for humans, nonetheless. The best way of protecting yourself from rabies is to avoid animals with foamy mouths. If you see such an animal, call 155 for the police to send public health officials to the site (if you can't speak Turkish, any person around you would be glad to help you out). If you are bitten by any animal (rabid-looking or not), get a shot at the nearest hospital immediately.