School holidays - a time to beware of the dog

20/9/2007

Children and dogs are a sentimental favourite of folk songs, photographers and story tellers. Kids and the family dog make a winning combination that offers friendship, teaches nurturing skills and natural authority. Well-trained dogs will obligingly take orders from their superior three-year-old boss!

However, unknown dogs, especially if they are roaming, pose a real threat to children – especially if parents and care-givers have not talked to their children about how to behave around animals, including their own pets.

With the spring school holidays underway, the risk of a dog attack increases as parks and playgrounds play host to energetic children and excitable dogs.

Here are some tips to discuss with children:

• Before going up to a dog, ask permission from its owner. Lots of dogs are friendly, but some aren’t. Owners can tell you if it is safe to go up to their dog, but still be careful.
• Never kiss or put your face down close to a dog’s face. It’s just common sense to keep a child’s face away from a dog’s teeth.

• Do not run around or shout near a dog. Dogs react to our behaviour. If you shout or run, a dog may chase or attack you.

• Never tease, annoy or frighten a dog. Dogs can only tell us to stop by growling or biting.

• If you are scared of a dog, move quietly and slowly away from it - don’t run. Don’t stare at the dog as you move away. If you stare, a dog might think you want to fight.

• Stay away from a dog that is eating or has a bone. When they are eating, dogs might think you want to take their food if you try to pat them. They may try to protect it.

• When an owner says that their dog is friendly and safe to stroke, let it sniff the back of your hand first. Dogs have a sense of smell that is 50 times stronger than ours and use their sense of smell to get to know strangers. Using the back of your hand keeps your fingers out of the way of its mouth.
• After permission is given, stroke only the dog’s chin, chest or shoulders and remember to be gentle. Dogs don’t really like being patted on their heads by strangers.
  
• Ask an adult before cuddling a puppy. Mother dogs are naturally protective. Even if the mother isn’t there, puppies are still dogs and they can bite, jump and scratch like older ones – so be careful.

Owners are ultimately responsible for their dogs and for keeping other people safe from them. Dog owners:

• You must keep your dog under control at all times. It should not approach other people without permission.
• Remember that you are legally responsible for your dog, and you must take all reasonable steps to ensure it does not injure, intimidate or annoy anyone.
• Listen courteously if anyone complains about your dog, and try to find ways to stop the behaviour they’re complaining about.

• Understand that some people don’t like dogs or are afraid of them, and have the right to be ‘dog-free’.

And last, but not least, if you see a roaming dog, contact your council with a description and the time and place. Getting roaming dogs off the streets is the responsibility of your council and they will welcome your help.

For more information, visit www.dogsafety.govt.nz.


Media contact
Carol Delaney - Communications
Local Government and Community Branch
Department of Internal Affairs
04 494 5726
0274 733 310