New guidance aims to reduce dog bites to children
Ninety-one per cent of bite injuries to children under the age of 14 years are caused by a dog known to the child.
Ahead of the school holidays, Dogs Trust has issued new guidance to help reduce the number of dog bites to children. The charity says that close supervision is essential in preventing many incidents from occurring.
Research shows that 91 per cent of bite injuries to children under the age of 14 years are caused by a dog known to the child. But new statistics released by Dogs Trust show that 84 per cent of parents leave their children unsupervised with dogs in their home.
Research also shows that dog bites in the home are often preceded by interactions such as children cuddling, hugging, brushing or kissing the dog.
Dogs Trust new guidance is aimed at busy parents and caregivers and advises following the Three S’s whenever dogs and children are together:
- Stay close - Watch, listen, and remain close during child-dog interactions
- Step in - Intervene when either the child or dog looks uncomfortable or acts in an unsafe way
- Separate - Separate the child and dog if you are likely to be preoccupied or distracted, like using a physical barrier such as a baby gate
Owen Sharp, chief executive at Dogs Trust, said: “Around a third of all UK households now own a dog, and most dogs live harmoniously with children without incident. But with the majority of bites happening within the home, it’s important that parents and caregivers take steps to make sure children are always supervised around dogs, even those dogs that they know very well.
“Basic training of dogs is not enough; close supervision of children and dogs while interacting is the most effective way of preventing incidents.
“Unfortunately, when the worst does happen, not only are children injured, but it can also have a devastating impact on the family pet, with some dogs handed over to organisations like ours for rehoming, or in some cases, euthanised.”
Dogs Trust guidance is accompanied by a short video, and the charity is also offering a free virtual masterclass to parents and caregivers. The masterclass offers tips on implementing the Three S’s and how to spot the signs of worry in a dog that can easily be missed.
Image (C) Dogs Trust
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