South West parents encouraged to keep pet and child interactions safe
The RSCPA has revealed concerning figures about children being bitten by pet dogs
Parents in the South West with pets are being urged to make sure interactions between their children and dogs are supervised.
New data from the RSPCA has revealed that one in five South West children have been bitten by a pet, with more than a third (37%) of those needing to visit a doctor as a result.
Over 1,000 children between 7 and 11 years old were surveyed, with 97 reporting to having been bitten by a dog.
The figures are a concern to the animal welfare charity, which is teaming up with other pet welfare charities to create the Pet Education Partnership.
While the data is a worry, RSPCA Dog Welfare Specialist, Dr Sam Gaines, told Greatest Hits Radio that there is plenty we can do to prevent dog bites.
She said: "What we're asking parents and guardians to do is basically make sure that they are aware of how to prevent dog bites and how to actively supervise interactions between their child and their dog, as this will be what allows their children to be safe, but also will help keep their dog happy as well."
Dr Gaines said it's important to remember that all dogs can bite - not just those of a particular breed.
She told us: "It's actually understanding your own dog, recognising when your own dog is feeling uncomfortable, the behavioural signs that they use, and the type of behaviour that makes their dog worried, anxious or frightened.
"This is absolutely key to preventing dog bites. It will allow parents and guardians to actively supervise and to intervene when necessary."
The organisation wants to encourage strong family bonds between children and pets, but Dr Gaines said that how adults and children behave around dogs is very different.
"From a dog's perspective, children be really scary," she said, highlighting that youngsters will show their affection in a much more physical way than an adult typically would.
Dr Gaines said: "Children will want to kiss, they'll want to hug, they want to put their arms around dogs, and, for dogs, that sort of behaviour can be really threatening.
"That's why it's so important that parents and guardians are there to supervise those interactions so that if their child starts to do something that their dog is going to be worried about, or if their dog's behaviour suggests that they're worried about what the child is doing, they are able to step in and separate if necessary."
A quarter of those instances recorded during the RSCPA's research happened during play.
Dr Gaines said: "It's possible that play just gets a bit too rough."
She added: "It's very likely that in some of these situations we're hearing being reported, it was a genuine accident. Play got too rough and there was no intention on the dog's behalf to actually cause harm.
"But we need to be there to recognise when things are getting a little bit too much so that we can ensure that both parties are safe."
The RSPCA has six golden rules for keeping children safe and dogs happy.
- Stay with your children around dogs and actively supervise – never leave your child alone in the same room as your dog, even your own.
- Interact with dogs at the right times – teach your child not to approach dogs when they're eating or having a treat, playing with a toy, sleeping, are feeling unwell or tired, or if they’re blind or deaf.
- Be gentle – teach your child to be kind and polite to dogs. Don't let your child climb on dogs, pull their ears or do anything you wouldn't allow them to do to another child.
- Play nicely and teach tricks – teach your child how to play nicely with your dog. Your child can teach your dog some really fun tricks like shake a paw, or play roll-over.
- Give your dog space if they need it – supervise your child when they're with your dog. If your dog looks unhappy, let them go somewhere they feel safe and happy. Give your dog a cosy spot in a quiet room where they can have their own space and teach your child to leave your dog alone when they're in a private spot.
- Don't let your children approach dogs they don't know, such as when you're out in the park.
More information of the work of the Pet Education Partnership can be found here.