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Theodora Yu

Lo Hoi-ying

The death of a cyclist in a suspected canine attack in Hong Kong’s Yuen Long on Saturday night has sparked fierce discussion on social media, with users sharing similar encounters and debating how to stay safe.
The woman was discovered along Pok Wai South Road in the early hours of Sunday. She had suffered lacerations to her head, face, neck, arms and legs, with the wounds to her head and neck believed to have been fatal.
Nearly a month earlier, a 33-year-old dog handler was found dead near her pet training centre in Ta Kwu Ling after being mauled by a canine.
To help residents stay safe, the South China Morning Post has spoken with canine behavioural experts and dog rescuers to share essential safety tips.
1. What should you never do?
Jacqueline Cheung, founder of the non-profit Love Adopt Animal Society, said it was important to never run from a dog. Running away could trigger an animal’s hunting mode and cause it to give chase, she noted.
“And a dog will in most cases run faster than a human,” she said.
Cheung said that anyone who encountered an aggressive dog should stand tall and avoid bending low.
They should also avoid direct eye contact, as it could be seen as a sign of hostility, and instead focus on the surrounding environment in case more dogs emerged, she said.
Jet Chow Wing-yin, a canine training instructor at My Dog Fits, said that dogs preparing to attack would be in a high state of alert, noting their tails would typically be very stiff and straight while wagging extremely fast.


2. How should I respond if a pack starts barking?
Cheung said it was important to take a deep breath first and try to remain calm before finding an object, such as a backpack, to shield yourself in case a dog rushes in to bite you.
Chow said that people should slow down if they spot a pack of dogs from far away. If a person was riding a bicycle, they should dismount while placing it between them and the animals as a physical barrier, he added.
“As you slow down, do not stare directly at the dogs, and do not face them head-on. If possible, take a wide arc around the outer perimeter and leave slowly,” he said.
Chow said it was best to walk sideways, keep the dogs in sight and retreat slowly without exposing your back, as it could make you appear vulnerable.
3. What about if dogs get close?
Chow advised that if a pack suddenly charges and barking erupts right next to you, do not quickly dismount from the bicycle, as it would be easier to lose balance and fall.
“Once you fall to the ground, you will easily become an attack target. Dismounting at close range means you might be attacked either way,” he said.
“In that split second when they are too close, going full speed on the bike might give you a chance to escape.
“Usually once you reach a certain distance and are out of their territory, they won’t keep chasing you.”
Since a human cannot outrun canines on foot, the next best course of action would be to yell loudly at the dogs to try to scare them away, Chow said.
In that situation, immediately grab any item you have, such as a backpack, to create a barrier and give the dog something to bite, which could help satisfy its initial urge to attack, he said.
“If a dog actually pounces to bite, you can use [the bag] as a shield and thrust the backpack into its mouth,” he said.
“Once they bite down on an object, their initial urge to bite is satisfied, and they might just tug on the backpack. This buys you time to get away safely without taking personal injury.”

4. What to do if a dog attacks?
Chow said that if a person came under attack, they should defend, block or shout loudly to discourage the dog from seeing them as vulnerable prey.
“If you continuously dodge or run, they will view you as prey and keep attacking,” he said.
“Do not fall to the ground – your body language tells the dogs that you are down, making you look extremely vulnerable, and they will attack even more aggressively.
“If you unfortunately fall and cannot fight back, your posture is vital to protect your life: curl your body up like a shrimp, cover your head with both hands, and tuck your elbows in tightly to shield your neck and throat.”
He added that instinct prompts dogs to bite humans on the limbs and neck, making it important to protect vital organs.
“So if you fall, cover your head and throat with your hands, clamp your elbows around your neck, and curl your body up,” he said. “Never uncover your hands from your neck.”
5. What about gadgets and other gear?
Chow said dog deterrent devices such as ultrasonic gadgets were ineffective against dogs with heightened alertness, as the animals’ emotions were already worked up and the devices might just provoke them further.
“Their internal adrenaline and emotional state completely override the disturbance of the ultrasonic wave,” he said.
Chow also warned that weapons such as metal pipes and baseball bats might make the situation even more dangerous.
“Adding extra body movements like swinging a racquet or pipe makes it look like you are threatening or trying to hit them, which provokes the dogs into feeling threatened and triggers an attack,” he said.


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Hong Kong society

Paw prints cover a cycling path of Bok Wai South Road, close to where a cyclist was found after a suspected dog attack. Photo: Kit Lai

Police and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department search for strays dogs in the Pok Wai area. Photo: Kit Lai

Woman found dead in Hong Kong after dog mauling

Police are investigating the incident in northern Hong Kong. Photo: Edmond So

Police said they received a report on Thursday afternoon that a woman had been found collapsed. Photo: Edmond So

Matthew Chan (left) and Senior Inspector Tam Kai-hin brief the media on the case. Photo: Edmond So

When prey instinct strikes: fast ways to save small pets from big dogs

A woman walks  her dogs in the rain at Causeway Bay. Photo: Sam Tsang

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Hong Kong

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Canine experts explain what to do, what to avoid and how to protect yourself during an attack


Canine experts explain what to do, what to avoid and how to protect yourself during an attack.


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Fatal dog attacks trigger safety fears in Hong Kong. Here’s how to protect yourself

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Canine experts explain what to do, what to avoid and how to protect yourself during an attack

Canine experts explain what to do, what to avoid and how to protect yourself during an attack