Tips on encountering Hawaii’s dangerous dogs

WAHIAWA, Hawaii (KHON2) — There are ways for residents to be prepared if they see an aggressive canine in public.

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There have been several recent incidents involving dog attacks on Oahu. Honolulu police removed two dangerous dogs from Pearl Harbor Bike Path on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Emergency Medical Services said a 66-year-old woman was hospitalized after being bitten multiple times in both arms by a dog on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Aala Park.

Police said no arrests were made in the Aala Park case and experts said the first tip for others worried about similar situations is to be proactive, not reactive.

“If you see a dog walking on the sidewalk and you’re walking towards that dog and you see the dog pulling a leash, it’s a bigger dog and you see the dog being aggressive, go ahead and cross the street, you know, get out of the sidewalk area,” Oahu SPCA Veterinary and Shelter Operations director John LeBron said.

Hawaii island resident Shannon Matson’s father, Robert Northrop, was killed in August 2023 by four large dogs. Since then, she worked with lawmakers to get legislation passed to hold owners accountable for felony charges.

“The owners of the dogs that killed my father, because the law is not retroactive, they are just going to be facing petty misdemeanor charges,” Matson said. “The reason why we fought so hard for a stronger law to be in place is because we can’t bring our father back. But we want to prevent this kind of dog violence from happening in the future to others.”

Experts said the next best thing — if proactively removing yourself from the situation is not possible — is to create a physical barrier between yourself and the aggressive animal. A jacket, backpack or bicycle will all work as long as it creates a degree of separation.

“A push cart, a bicycle, anything like that,” LeBron said. “I’ve been attacked on trails in Florida. I generally would just, you know, put that dog between me and a bike, push it away and just get myself out of the situation.”

LeBron said people should cross their arms and try to remain on their feet if they are attacked by a dangerous dog, but there is still advice if the dog is able to pull you to the ground.

“Go in a fetal position, protect your face, protect your head, protect your neck. And most times if dogs don’t see you as a threat, they will generally stop the attack and in general will move on,” LeBron said.

Police said the dog involved in Sunday’s attack at Aala Park was taken to the Hawaiian Humane Society.

Officials with HHS gave the following tips:

1. Call 911 to report loose, aggressive dogs.
2. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Stay calm and avoid panicking.
3. Do not run away. This can trigger the dog’s prey instinct, compelling them to want to chase.
4. Put any object between you and the dog – a jacket, bag, fence, bench, table or bicycle can act as a barrier. The key here is to keep the object between you and the dog’s mouth at all times.
5. Do not make sudden movements and avoid direct eye contact. This non-threatening stance may cause the dog to lose interest.
6. If possible, slowly back away while keeping the dog in your peripheral vision.
7. Use a firm, deep voice to give commands like, “No!” Do not use a high-pitched voice and resist the urge to scream, which can escalate the dog’s behavior.
8. If knocked down, curl into a ball, protecting your face, neck and ears with your arms.
9. Learn to recognize dog body language that indicates aggression or fear.
10. A wagging tail does not always mean that a dog is friendly. A dog with a tail in high, stiff position perpendicular to the ground is often a sign that a dog is alert and cautious. They may see you as a threat.
11. A tail that is tucked between the legs is an indicator that the dog is experiencing fear and anxiety.
12. It’s important to remember that a dog’s breed and natural tail position can also affect this

1. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention and report to HPD, who will then initiate a dangerous dog investigation.