-
Do not run away from a dog. Move back slowly
-
Do not force anyone to pet a dog. (Afraid people can
make dogs uneasy and more likely to bite.)
-
Do not act excited around a dog, or run, ride, or
skate close to a dog
Children and dogs
These rules apply to everyone, but
parents need to be especially careful of children around
dogs.
American studies show dog-bite related
injuries are highest among children aged five to nine,
decreasing with age. And almost 2/3 of injuries to
children four and under are to the head or neck.
Children may unwittingly provoke attack
through actions such as kissing a dog, trying to take a
bone away, scaring them through chasing or play, or
simply because the dog decides they can be dominated
because they are small.
Toddlers are especially vulnerable
because of their size and inability to follow verbal
instructions.
School age children may put themselves at
risk through actions such as climbing into someone
else’s property (who has a dog) to retrieve a ball, or
by encountering an aggressive dog while walking to
school.
Ideally, children should learn to be
confident and safety-conscious around dogs without being
fearful.
About dogs
All dogs are different but in the wild
they are pack animals that strive to be ‘top dog’. In
play, puppies often snarl or bite to assert dominance
over their siblings and/or owners.
Well-trained dogs learn their place is
submissive to humans; however, any dog may instinctively
turn aggressive if
they feel they or their
territory, food, mate or pups are threatened.
Reading dog behaviour
Places your family is most likely to
come into contact with dogs are on the
street, at parks and recreation areas and at peoples’
homes.
Knowing how to behave around dogs will help you deal
with them more confidently, and minimise risk of harm.
By ‘reading’ their behaviour you can better judge what
to do.
An aggressive dog:
-
makes
itself bigger by raising its hackles (hair along its
neck and back), and standing on the tips of its paws
-
lifts
its lips to show its teeth
-
barks
or snarls
-
lays
its ears back
-
has
its tail raised
-
stares directly at what it’s threatening.
If possible, you should walk away
calmly, staying side-on to the dog.
A frightened dog:
Frightened dogs may become aggressive so
you should removing or reduce the level of threat by:
A
playful
dog:
-
may
bark but doesn’t snarl,
-
approaches and retreats, often ‘kneeling’ down then
jumping up
-
holds
its tail horizontal, or wagging
-
looks
at you, and away.
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A playful dog won’t hurt you
deliberately, but may be frightening if
it jumps up at you and runs around you
barking. It will soon give up trying to get your
attention if you don’t respond (and move away in the
same way as with frightened dogs).
In all cases, you have a right not to be
frightened or annoyed by a dog. If you complain to the
dog’s owner they should respond courteously and control
their dog.
If approached by a dog
When dogs approach people they are
usually curious or want to play. If you are not
comfortable you should:
-
stand still. Don't run away, kick at the dog, squeal
or jump
-
ask the owner to control their dog if they are nearby
-
avoid eye contact with the dog
-
keep your hands firmly by your sides
-
slowly extend the back of the hand (not an open palm)
if the dog tries to sniff your hand
-
turn away calmly, sternly saying ‘Down!’ if the dog
jumps at you
-
slowly walk away, backwards or staying side on when
the dog loses interest
How to respond to an aggressive dog
Children
should be taught the lowest-risk response, which is to:
stop, stand and leave.
-
stop what you’re doing.
-
stand still. Don't kick at the dog, squeal or jump.
Look at the dog out of the side of your eye (looking
directly may be interpreted as a challenge). Keep
your hands by your sides.
-
slowly back away from the dog, and when there is
enough distance between you and the dog, walk away.
If you are confident you can
control the dog, you may try firmly commanding the dog
to 'sit', ‘down’, or ‘no’, while looking directly at the
dog to assert control. If the dog does not respond to
this or the situation escalates, revert to ‘Stop. Stand.
Leave.’
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What to
do if attacked
If a dog rushes at you:
-
call loudly for help
-
try to put something between you and the dog – a
schoolbag, bike, ball, umbrella, clothing, car door
etc
-
if
the dog jumps on you or knocks you down, curl into a
ball and cover your face and head with your arms
-
get medical attention immediately if bitten
-
report the incident as soon as possible to your local
council dog control office.
Nuisance or dangerous dogs
Under the Dog Control Act 1996 owners
must ensure dogs do not cause a nuisance to any person;
injure, endanger or cause distress to any person; or
injure stock, poultry, domestic animals or protected
wildlife.
If a dog is causing a nuisance you should
first contact its owner. If the problem is not resolved
or you do not want to contact the owner direct you
should contact your local council.
If
a dog is behaving dangerously, for example roaming,
rushing or barking aggressively at people, you should
contact your local council straight away.
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