Stay Safe During National Dog Bite Prevention Week

As part of its ongoing commitment to keep pets and people safe, Bark Busters, the world's largest dog training company, launches the Dally Says Dog Safety Programme, a unique online public service programme designed to help educate children about dog safety and bite prevention.

The free online programme is part of a worldwide effort by the 350+ Bark Busters dog behavioural therapists around the world for National Dog Bite Prevention Week (16th ~ 22nd May 2010).

Part of our mission at Bark Busters is to help keep people and their canine friends safe. We understand that dog bites are a serious matter, and we believe that more public education, such as the free online resource we offer, can help prevent the situations that lead to dog bites.

Dog Bite Statistics:

• UK Dog attacks have increased by over 60% in the last 10 years.
• Children are 3 times more likely to be attacked than adults.
• Boys are more likely to be bitten than girls.
• Most of the injuries on the children were on the face.
• 90% of hospital admissions were treated as emergencies.
• Royal Mail figures have revealed that dog attacks on postal workers have increased by 20% in the last year.

To combat such startling statistics, Bark Busters has sponsored the commission of a dog safety website. The website gives dog safety tips while helping children understand how to communicate more effectively with dogs by using voice tone and body language.

Dally Says Dog Safety Programme for Schools and Children

Developed specifically for primary school-age children, the Dally Says Dog Safety Programme provides fun, interactive dog safety activities. Bark Busters wants to educate children and adults on how to stop dog bites before they happen by making the right decisions around familiar and unfamiliar dogs. Through the Dally Says Dog Safety Programme, children can learn what to do and what not to do around dogs in order to prevent dog bites across the nation.

Bark Busters offers the following tips for preventing dog bites and dog-related injuries:

How to Stay Safe When a Dog Approaches

• Don't turn and run - dogs naturally love to chase and catch things.
• Stand still, with your hands at your sides. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you are not a threat.
• Don't put your hand out - just allow the dog to approach you to sniff you. Again stand totally still and don't move.
• Don't scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly.
• Face the dog at all times, but don't stare. Avoid eye contact.
• Back away slowly when the dog loses interest, watching the dog from the corner of your eye, until the dog is out of sight.

Safety Tips for Parents

• Never leave a young child or baby alone with any dog.
• Never allow your young child to discipline a dog.
• Never allow your child to feed or walk a dog unsupervised.
• Never allow your child to pull on a dog's collar, ears or tail.
• Never allow your child to play aggressive games (like wrestling) with any dog.
• Never allow your child to pet a dog that is in someone else's car or garden.

Recent Articles