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uk Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
an aggressive dog or other animal attacks or corners you

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

At the earliest safe pause, put a solid barrier between you and the animal or get into a secure building or vehicle. Call 999 if the attack is happening, you cannot get clear, or anyone is in immediate danger, and ask for an ambulance if someone is seriously injured.

Do not do these things

  • Do not run from a dog or make sudden movements around it.
  • Do not scream at, shoo, chase, corner, stare into the face of, or reach towards a threatening dog.
  • Do not try to touch, feed, restrain, photograph or capture an aggressive or unknown animal.
  • Do not turn your back on a threatening dog or try to squeeze past an animal blocking your route.
  • Do not hit or kick a dog unless you need to fend it off long enough to reach safety.
  • Do not return for belongings while the animal remains nearby.
  • Do not handle injured, trapped or distressed wildlife when doing so could put you at risk.

What to do now

  1. Create a safer pause. Stop moving towards the animal. Slowly place a door, gate, vehicle, fence, furniture, bicycle or another solid object between you and it, or enter secure shelter if you can reach it without crossing the animal’s path.

  2. If a dog is threatening but has not made contact, stand still. Angle your body slightly away, keep the dog in view without staring into its face, and speak in a calm voice. Do not try to touch it.

  3. Move away only when there is room. Walk slowly backwards or sideways while watching your footing. Do not run or make a sudden turn. Keep a bag, coat, chair, bicycle or other barrier between you and the dog.

  4. If you are cycling, dismount. Keep the bicycle between you and the dog and wheel it away slowly. Do not try to outpace the dog.

  5. If a dog presses the attack, fend it off rather than trying to overpower it. Use a bag, coat, bicycle, chair or similar object as a shield while moving towards safety. Call clearly to nearby people for help without screaming at the dog. Stay on your feet if possible.

  6. If a dog knocks you down, protect yourself. Curl into a ball with your face towards the ground and cover your face with your hands until the dog moves away or help reaches you.

  7. Treat another type of animal cautiously. Do not assume that dog-specific behaviour advice applies to it. Keep a solid barrier between you and the animal, avoid approaching or handling it, and move towards secure shelter when there is a clear route.

  8. Call 999 as soon as you safely can. Give your location, the type and description of the animal, where it is moving, whether anyone else is at risk, and whether anyone is injured. Follow the call handler’s instructions.

  9. Control serious bleeding once you are away from the animal. Call 999 for severe bleeding and press a clean cloth or dry dressing firmly onto the wound. Keep applying pressure until help arrives.

  10. Clean any bite that has broken the skin. Wash it with soap and warm water, gently dry it, and cover it with a clean dressing. Arrange prompt medical advice through your GP, a local urgent-care service or 111 where available. Go to A&E for a large or deep wound or bleeding that will not stop. Get medical help immediately after a bat bite or scratch in the UK, or after an animal bite or scratch abroad, because rabies assessment may be needed.

  11. Report a dog incident after immediate danger and injuries are dealt with. For a non-emergency, report it to your local police online or by calling 101. Your local council may also have a dog warden service.

What can wait

You do not need to identify the animal’s breed, confront its owner, take photographs, recover dropped belongings, prepare a detailed account, or decide about legal action while you are still unsafe or injured. Getting clear, contacting emergency services and dealing with injuries come first.

Important reassurance

You do not need to overpower the animal. Creating distance, placing something solid between you and it, protecting yourself and calling for help are meaningful actions even when you cannot leave immediately.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety and first-aid steps only. Later medical care, reporting, animal-control decisions or legal questions may require help from healthcare professionals, the police, the council, a vet or another relevant specialist.

Important note

This is general safety and first-aid information, not medical, veterinary or legal advice. Follow directions from emergency services and healthcare professionals because the safest response may depend on the species, location, injuries and circumstances.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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