Dog attacks are one of the most common causes of personal injuries. Children under the age of 11 years are often the victims of dog attacks because they are small can be easily controlled by the dog. There are many different signs that can be used to predict a possible dog attack such as listed below. Knowing them can possibly avoid dangerous situations -

• When a dog misjudges human gestures, for instance, if a person is about to pat the dog on the top of the head, the dog might take the hand movement as an attack and bite in self defense.
• When a dog is disturbed while resting/ sleeping and eating.
• When children especially those who are 11 years and younger want to play with pet against its wish, then the dog might attack. 
• When a dog is provoked by another animal or an individual that he cannot attack; the dog might redirect his aggression to some other person.

Some important things that can be done in order to avoid a dog attack are -

• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog, particularly those who are tied, barking constantly, lose behind the gate or confined within the car. Those dogs might be territorial and/or overly stressed and more prone to attack.
• Since dogs can become possessive with their food and toys, therefore, do not bother a dog while it is playing with its toy, eating and/or sleeping.
• Educate your children about how to treat a dog. Treating a dog unfairly or harshly can result in a dog attack.

If you think the dog can attack you any moment -

• Do not start shouting. Stand motionless and do not look in the animal's eye, look somewhere else and stay calm until he goes away from you.
• Try to resist the attack by "feeding" him things like your bag, shoes and jacket.

In case you are attacked by a dog, immediately cleanse your wound and get proper medical attention. Report the attack to the local animal control center so there will be a record of the dog's aggressiveness. It is very common for aggressive dogs to attack multiple times and if these attacks are reported to animal control, official action will be taken, hopefully before someone is seriously injured. Dog owners are 100% liable for medical bills, income loss, personal injury and pain and suffering damages.

If you are attacked by a dog, contact an experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney such as   Nelson C. Barry who specializes in dog attack cases who has a 100% win record in such cases. Mr. Barry serves clients in most of northern California from his offices in San Francisco. He is an aggressive and caring attorney who guides his clients throughout their case from beginning to end. To find out how personal injury attorney Nelson Barry has helped his other clients, check out their testimonials on his web site http://www.nelsonbarry.com/