School children learn dog safety awareness

Pupils from St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary School, Kirkby were paid a visit from the Naturewatch Foundation as part of a dog safety workshop.

The workshops were carried out by a professional theatre-in-education company and presented the children with a variety of everyday scenarios where they are often in the same vicinity as dogs.

The children acted out the characters and learnt how to safely interact with a dog and how to recognise when a dog is calm and happy.

Jennie Rudd, from Naturewatch Foundation said: “Children are being nipped or, worse, bitten by dogs due to a lack of knowledge about dog safety and dog behaviour.

“We visit primary schools to assist them with providing life-saving safety lessons to those most vulnerable to dog attacks – under 10 year olds. The lessons can be used in everyday life around pet dogs, friends’ and family’s pets and unknown dogs in public.

“For children who love dogs, it will make them think twice before cuddling every dog they see. For children who are afraid, it will equip them with knowledge to take control of situations without fear.

“Ultimately, children are taught to recognise risks and not put dogs into a position whereby they feel the need to protect themselves and potentially bite. The workshops will save children from severe injuries and even death.”