If a dog bites...

[californiaburrito]

and won't release what's the best way to get the dog to let go?

I'm asking because I came across a dog who had bitten a cat and wouldn't let go. The owner of the dog wasn't able to get the dog to release and I went to help. I got the dog to let go but I'm not sure I went about it the right way.

(Cat is probably fine but with a severely injured paw, dog owner is seeking to find cat owner to pay for treatment)

If you have a bucket of really cold water to throw over the dog it works well.

If you don't have water you can try a loud sharp noise.

If that doesn't work, grab the dog high up on the hind legs and pull straight back, turning with them if they try to redirect the bite onto you.

Absolute worst case scenario and I wouldn't recommended, if they are wearing a collar you can grab and twist it to choke them off. But there is a very high risk of personal injury with that.