Children Dogs first foremost Safety 2016 FACTS AND

Children & Dogs first & foremost Safety 2016

FACTS AND FIGURES • • There were 6, 302 hospital admissions in 2012/13 Children and the elderly suffer more attacks Most dog bites to children happen at home when a child is left to interact with a dog without adult supervision Ambulances pick up over 100 victims per week with horrendous injuries first & foremost Safety 2016

Facts and Figures first & foremost Safety 2016

Hospital admissions by age and gender first & foremost Safety 2016

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 � In 1991 the Dangerous Dog Act in the UK banned the breeding, keeping or selling of certain breeds of dog The Pit Bull Terrier The Dogo Argentino The Fila Brasilerio The Japanese Tosa Although the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 specifies certain breeds that are considered to be particularly dangerous you need to remember that ALL dogs whatever their breed have the potential for aggression. first & foremost Safety 2016

The Problem � � “It is estimated that around half of all children will be bitten by a dog at some point during their life, usually by either a family dog or a dog that belongs to a friend or neighbour. “Bites from stray dogs are rarer as they tend to be wary of humans and usually keep their distance. “However, it is difficult to estimate exactly how common animal bites are in England, as many people do not seek medical treatment or advice for minor bites. “Dog bites are the most common form of bites and reports of serious dog attacks resulting in fatalities, usually involving young children, receive a lot of media coverage. However, such cases are very rare in England. ” first & foremost Safety 2016

27 deaths…… since 2006 ? Dog control is based on 170 -year-old laws and there’s little enforcement. first & foremost Safety 2016

The law How the changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act affect you and your dog…May 14 first & foremost Safety 2016

Tragedy first & foremost Safety 2016

Tragedy…… first & foremost Safety 2016

Tragedy first & foremost Safety 2016

Dog Attacks � Statistics show that the face and head are the places that a dog is most likely to attack on a 0 -9 year old. This picture shows a child AFTER surgery to repair a wound left by a dog attack. first & foremost Safety 2016

Dog Attacks This picture shows the back of a child’s head after a dog attack. This child also sustained injuries to other parts of his body including his back which can also be seen in the photograph. first & foremost Safety 2016

Dog attacks � As children grow the lower down the body the most likely site of a dog attack goes. From about 14 years onwards you are most likely to get bitten on the arms. This photo shows the devastation caused by a dog bite on an adult forearm. When there are ragged edges to a wound like this they are very difficult to sew back together and there is a great risk of infection both from the exposed wound and bacteria from the animals mouth first & foremost Safety 2016

Dog Attacks Legs are the least likely place to be bitten in a dog attack but as you can see the effects can still be devastating. As you can see in this photo the child who has been bitten has been left not only with gashes but actual chunks of flesh and muscle missing. first & foremost Safety 2016

SUMMARY Responsible dog owners can create a safe environment for dogs and children to live safe and happy together. Keeping dogs and other animals can teach children responsibility and positive life lessons, but any animal needs to be appropriate to the family and lifestyle. first & foremost Safety 2016