Dangerous Dogs & Safeguarding Children

1. Introduction and aim of the guidance

Dogs play an important part in society and are valued companions for many families and the benefits of owning pets are well established.
However, in recent years a number of children and adults have been seriously injured or have died from attacks by dogs, the aim of this guidance is to provide information to those who are working with families and children. To help practitioners understand how to assess any risks which dogs in the household might pose to children and act as necessary to protect children from serious injuries.
The primary aim of this guidance is to protect children in North Lincolnshire from the serious injuries that can be inflicted by dogs that are prohibited, dangerous or poorly managed.
The guidance covers the following:
• What risk factors to consider when working with families with dogs within the household
• The advice provided by the RSPCA to keep children safe
• Legislation relating to dangerous dogs
• The action that should be taken if a child is living in a household with a prohibited or dangerous dog
• The information that should be gathered when any child is injured by a dog and the issues to be considered when making a referral to Children’s Social Care or other agencies.
• Useful resources for practitioners and families with regard to child safety

2. The Dog and Child – Family Context

Whenever a professional or volunteer visits a dog owning family they should routinely consider whether or not the dog poses any threat to the child’s health, development or safety. This should involve a discussion with the parents/guardian or the pet owner about the dog’s behaviour. This is particularly important when there is a new baby in the household. The pet owner should be asked whether the dog’s behaviour has changed since the baby was brought home. This assessment of risk should be repeated when the baby begins to become mobile. The following points should be borne in mind when assessing any potential risk posed by a dog in the home:
• All children are potentially vulnerable from attack(s) from dog(s)
• Young and very small children are likely to be at greatest risk
• Younger children will be unaware and unprepared for the potential dangers they could face
• A young child will be less able to protect themselves and more likely to be of a size that leaves especially vulnerable parts of their body exposed to any ‘assault’ or injury caused by unruly behaviour from the Dog
• Is the dog left alone with the child? If so how old is the child as this would be a risk for infants.
• Are there issues about the impact the dog is having on basic hygiene in the home and if so what might this mean for the health and safety of children living in the home
• How effectively do parents prioritise the needs of the child over the care/attention that they offer to the Dog
• How much money is spent on the dog compared to the child?

The RSPCA and the Blue Cross have produced useful information about keeping children safe from
dogs. Practitioners should give or direct any families with a dog or who have contact with a dog, towards these resources (see section 6 of this document). Research indicates that neutered or spayed dogs are less likely to be territorial and aggressive towards other dogs and people. Dogs that are kept and/or bred for the purpose of fighting, defending or threatening others are likely to present more risks than genuine pets.

The advice from the RSPCA is that dogs should not be left alone with young children. They offer six golden rules to keep children safe:
• Stay with your children in the presence of dogs
• Teach children to interact with dogs at the right time. If the dog is eating, sleeping, unwell, playing with a toy or if the dog is blind or deaf, then children should not approach
• Children should be gentle with dogs. They should be taught not to climb on dogs, pull their ears or play roughly
• Teach children how to play with dogs in a respectful way
• Give the dog space when they need it and show children how to observe when the dog needs space
• Children should not approach a dog that they do not know

3. Legislation relating to dangerous dogs

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

This Act was introduced after a spate of dog attacks and provides detailed information about the legislation covering certain breeds and types of dogs, sets out the responsibilities of the owners and describes the actions that can be taken to remove and/or control dogs:
• Any dog can be ‘dangerous’ (as defined by The Act) if it has already been known to inflict or threaten injury (this could be a bite and/or any other type of injury)
• Certain dogs are prohibited (banned) and if any agency has any knowledge or report of a dog of this type, the matter should be reported to the police immediately (see section 6 of this document, Gov.uk list of banned dogs)
• Injuries inflicted by certain types of dog are likely to be especially serious and damaging. Strong, powerful dogs such as Pit Bull types will often use their back jaws (as opposed to nipping) and powerful neck muscle to shake their victims violently as they grasp which will cause more severe injuries
• When reports of prohibited (banned) dog breeds and known or potentially dangerous dogs are linked to the presence of children, all agencies should be alert to the possible risks and consequences

Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

Part 7 – Dangerous Dogs
The section of the Act strengthens powers to tackle irresponsible dog ownership by extending the offence of owning or being in charge of a dog that is dangerously out of control in a public place to also cover private places. It also ensures that the courts can take account of the character of the owner of the dog, as well as of the dog itself, when assessing whether a dog should be destroyed because it is a risk to the public.

4. Assessing the risks

All professionals coming into contact with a family with dogs should emphasise the importance of ensuring babies and young children are never left alone with a dog – however familiar the dog is to the family – and record the advice given.
When a practitioner from any agency undertakes a home visit and there are both children and dogs in the household, the practitioner should routinely consider whether the presence of the dog/s poses any threat to the child’s health, development or safety by considering the following risk factors;
• Is the dog’s owner usually present?
• Is the dog exercised outside the property?
• Does the dog have off lead exercise? Does the dog live in a yard/garden?
• Does the dog destroy/chew things?
• Has the dog ever been involved in a biting incident with another dog?
• Has the dog ever bitten a person?
• Was the dog chosen for its breed or its temperament?
• Does the owner have any previous convictions?
• What size is the dog?
• Is the dog fed from human plates at mealtimes?
• Does the dog have a muzzle?

If you consider a dog is a serious risk to a child you should contact the police immediately.

5. Protection and action to be taken

Any agency aware of a dog that could be prohibited or considered dangerous should collect as much information as possible (see section 6 of this document, Gov.uk list of banned dogs):
• The dog’s name and breed
• The owner’s details
• Clear discussions with the owner regarding planned management of the dog where there are children in the household or wider family
• Where the agency/individual is unsure; advice should be sought from Police colleagues

Where there is a report of a child having been injured by a dog (or exposed to the risk of injury) a referral to Children’s Social Care should be considered. In deciding whether or not to make a referral, consideration should be given to:
• The nature of the injuries
• The circumstances of the attack/incident
• Whether the parents or dog owner sought medical advice
• Whether the dog has previously shown any aggression and
• What action the pet owner has taken to prevent a recurrence of any attack

Remember, if a practitioner has reason to believe that a dog in the household is prohibited or presents a risk to a child, the Police or Children’s Services should be contacted immediately.

A referral should also be made where a prohibited and/or dangerous dog is reported and is believed to be living with or frequently associated with children.

Some referrals might be logged ‘for information only’ by the agencies, for example if it is established that no significant or continued risk is likely to the child, or other children (for example, if the dog – which was the only dog in the household – has already been ‘put down’ or removed to another house where no children are present).

Some referrals might prompt ‘information leaflets’ on Dogs and Safe Care of Children to be issued for example, if the incident or injury was minor, if the child was older or if the family have clearly shown themselves to be responsible dog owners.

In more serious cases a Strategy Discussion and joint section 47 investigation should lead to further discussions with other agencies and home visits to complete assessments and to inform judgements on parenting and the care and control of the dog(s).

Advice might be sought from a veterinary professional to help determine the likely nature or level of risk presented by the dog(s). As with all other assessments ‘the welfare of the child is paramount.’