Will stray dogs attack me if I walk or run here?

It is not just in your head, but it is also not as likely as it feels on a dark street with a dog barking at you. Many street dogs keep away from people and spend their day sleeping, eating and guarding their patch. The trouble usually comes from a few situations: a group of dogs together, a dog guarding food or territory, a mother with pups, or a runner who sets off a chase. Learn those, change how you move past them, and most encounters stay noisy rather than dangerous.

When strays are more likely to come at you

• Groups. Dogs together are bolder than a dog on its own, and one barking can set the rest off.
• Their territory. Near where they sleep or are fed: bins, markets, building sites, car parks, the edge of town.
• Movement. Running, cycling and fast scooters trigger the urge to chase. So does a dog on a lead, which strays may see as an intruder.
• Night and early morning, when streets are quiet and dogs are more active and protective.

If dogs come towards you

1. Slow to a walk, then stop. Never sprint away. You will not outrun them, and running is what keeps a chase going.
2. Stand side-on with your arms in, and avoid staring a dog in the eye. Side-on looks calm, not threatening.
3. Speak low and firm. A steady “No” or “Go” in a deep voice. No screaming, no flailing.
4. Back away slowly once they settle, keeping them in view. Most will lose interest once you are off their patch.
5. Put something between you if one keeps coming: a bag, an umbrella, a bike, a parked car.

If you have your own dog with you, keep it close on a short lead and on the side away from the strays. Our answer on what to do when a loose dog charges your dog covers that in detail.

Why kicking and stones backfire

Many people kick out or throw stones, and it is easy to see why when you are frightened. But a dog that is hurt or cornered is more likely to bite, and the next time it sees you it may come in harder, not stay away. In many countries harming a dog is also a crime. Distance, calm and a barrier protect you better.

Planning your walks and runs

• Learn the hotspots and route around them: feeding spots, bins, building sites, wasteland.
• Run in daylight and on busier, open routes where dogs see you coming from far off.
• Run with others when you can, or on a track or in a park with a gate.
• Slow to a walk early when you see dogs ahead, before they decide you are worth chasing.
• Carry a whistle or a personal alarm. Legal almost everywhere. A deterrent spray such as citronella may be legal in some countries and treated like a weapon in others, so check first: is dog deterrent spray legal where I live. We do not recommend pepper spray.

If you are bitten or scratched: wash the wound well with soap and running water for several minutes, then see a doctor the same day, even if it looks minor. Whether you need rabies treatment depends on the country and the dog, and that is for a doctor to decide, so do not wait to see. Report the bite to the local authorities. More in a dog bit me, what should I do now.

Who to tell when it keeps happening

In countries such as Albania, Kosovo and Greece, where street dogs are common, there may be no single animal control number. Start here:

• The municipality. In many places local government is responsible for stray dogs. Report the location, how many dogs, and what happened.
• The local police, if a dog or group is attacking people, or you have been bitten.
• Local animal welfare groups and shelters. They often know the dogs, who feeds them, and who in the municipality actually acts. Many run neutering and rehoming work too.

Keep a short log: dates, times, places, photos taken from a distance. A record of repeated chases gets more attention than a single complaint. If you are travelling, our page for travellers and the loose dogs guide have more.