Safeguarding Children from Dangerous Dogs

The primary aim of this guidance is to protect children across Greater Manchester from the serious injuries that can be inflicted by dogs that are prohibited, dangerous or poorly managed.

The guidelines set out to explain and describe:

• The children most likely to be vulnerable and the dogs most likely to be dangerous;
• The information that should be gathered when any child is injured by a dog and the criteria that should prompt a referral within the Safeguarding children procedures.

• The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended) provides very detailed information on the legislation covering certain types of dogs, the responsibilities of owners and the actions that can be taken to remove and/or control dogs;
• From the 13 May 2014 the Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, section 3 was extended to include the offence of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place to 'any place in England or Wales', which includes private places. Please see legislation section below. See Section 6, Legislation.
• In the UK it is against the law to own certain types of dog unless the owner has a certificate of exemption. These dogs are: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero and XL Bully. If any agency has any knowledge or report of a dog of this type, the matter should be reported to the police immediately;
• However, any dog, irrespective of breed, can be 'dangerous' (as defined by The Act) if it has already been known to inflict or threaten injury;
• 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;
• When reports of 'prohibited' dogs and known or potentially dangerous dogs are linked to the presence of children, all agencies should be alert to the possible risks and consequences.

The benefits of owning pets are well established. Having a pet can have physical and emotional benefits for a child as well as teaching them about responsibility and caring for living creatures. However, there are also risks and when you visit a family that has a dog you need to consider whether or not the dog poses any threat to the child's health, development or safety.

• All children are potentially vulnerable from attack(s) from dog(s);
• Young and very small children are likely to be at greatest risk;
• A young child may be unaware and unprepared for the potential dangers they could face;
• A young child may 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';
• Is it a large dog in a small home;
• Is the dog left alone with the child;
• How much money is spent on the dog compared to the child;
• If you consider a dog is a serious risk to a child you should contact the police immediately.

• Many commentators will insist that 'the owner, not the dog' is the problem;
• There will be occasions when even the 'best' of owners fails to anticipate or prevent their dog's behaviour;
• The care, control and context of a dog's environment will undoubtedly impact on their behaviour and potential risks;
• Research indicates that neutered or spayed dogs are less likely to be territorial and aggressive towards other dogs and people.

Owners:

• Owners linked to criminal activity, anti-social behaviour, drugs or violence may have reason to encourage aggressive behaviour from dogs;
• Owners with interests and histories in crime, violence, drugs or anti-social behaviour are unlikely to appreciate or prevent the possible risks their dog(s) present to children.

Families, who experience high levels of aggression and domestic tensions:

• Are more likely to trigger excitement and possible attacks by dogs;
• Are less likely to appreciate and anticipate risks;
• May be less likely to take necessary precautions;
• May be less likely to guarantee the safety of the most vulnerable youngsters;
• Very young, small children living in chaotic or dysfunctional families are likely to be especially vulnerable;
• Prohibited, dangerous, powerful dogs are likely to inflict the most serious injuries.

The RSPCA offer the following advice to all professionals who are in contact with a household where there is a dog/s present:

"When looking at, or asking about, a dog think about the following points, which should not be considered an exhaustive list but are intended to prompt a professional's curiosity as to the state of the dog's welfare along with suggested courses of action."

"The points relate to Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act, 2006 which imposes a duty of care on a person who is permanently or temporarily responsible for an animal. This duty of care requires that reasonable steps in all the circumstance are taken to ensure that the welfare needs of an animal are met to the extent required by good practice. The welfare needs are:

• The need for a suitable environment;
• The need for a suitable diet;
• The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns;
• The need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals;
• The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

During the visit ask if there is a dog in the property including the back garden. If there is, and the dog isn't in the same room as you, ask to see the dog."

Any agency aware of a dog that could be prohibited or considered dangerous should collect as much information as possible:

• The dog's name and breed;
• The owner;
• The reason for keeping the dog (Dogs that are kept and/or bred for the purpose of fighting, defending or threatening are likely to present more risks than genuine pets);
• Any children in the home (particularly young children).

From 13 May 2014 the Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 amends Sec 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 by extending the offence of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place to 'any place in England or Wales' which includes private places. It also extends to cases where injury in caused to an assistance dog (even though no person may be injured).

The Home Office Crime Classification 8/21 is amended to:

Owner or person in charge allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place in England or Wales (whether or not in a public place) injuring any person or assistance dog. Section 3 (1) Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 as amended by Section 106 Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 will bring changes to the current Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) and came into force in England and Wales on 13 May 2014.

• Extension of the law under Section 3, from a dog dangerously out of control in a public place to cover “any place in England and Wales” (whether or not a public place). There is a limited defence in relation to whether the person was a trespasser entering or in a building, part of a building, that is a dwelling or forces’ accommodation at the time of the offence;
• Under Section 3 of the DDA a new offence has been created in relation to a dog injuring an assistance dog, such as a guide dog, Dog for the Disabled or Hearing dog for the deaf, this only covers assistance dogs not other assistance animals. Assistance dog has the meaning given by section 173(1) of the Equality Act 2010;
• Power to Police Constables and to authorised Local Authority Officers to seize a dog in England and Wales which is not a public place, if the dog appears to the constable or officer to be dangerously out of control. This includes a private place, but the dog must be out of control immediately before or at the time the constable or authorised LA Officers makes the decision to seize;
• Increased prison sentences for those convicted of some offences;
• In relation to court, Contingent Destruction Orders on dogs will take into consideration whether the owner is a fit and proper person.

Example Incidents:

• A burglar enters a property, as a trespasser, and is attacked by the house owner’s dog. In this case there would be a “house holder case” defence;
• The next door neighbour’s child climbs over the garden fence to get their ball back and gets bitten by a dog whilst in the neighbour’s garden, this would be an offence. The back garden is not covered in the defence;
• The postperson delivering mail entering the driveway with implied permission gets chased by a dog which is snarling and biting at them but does not get bitten but is in fear that they will – this is an offence;
• When dealing with a prohibited breed dog (under Sec. 1 of the DDA), such as a suspected Pitbull, unless out of control immediately before or at the time, a warrant will still be required to seize from a private place.

The Dogs Trust: Staying Safe With Dogs

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has made this 7 minute animated film to keep children safe around animals: battersea.org.uk

Kennel Club’s Safe & Sound Programme with resources for schools

National Animal welfare Trust advice sheet/ free webinar

Initial Noise Letter For Barking Dog/  Useful Guide On Dog Behaviour

Advice on keeping babies safe around dogs in the home

Controlling your dog in public

The Simplest Way to Understand the Dangerous Dogs Act & Breed Specific Legislation in the UK

• Male owners have dogs with increased aggression and fear (Roll and Unsheim1997);
• Shy, tense, emotionally less stable owners have increased aggression in their dogs (Podberscek 1997);
• Presence of children in house reduces behavioural problems (Kebect 2003) but presence of teenagers increases biting;
• Dogs fed at meal times from the owners table causes increased food aggression (O'Sullivan 2008);
• Dogs fed at the table and dogs which sleep with the owner especially in their bed/ bedroom have increased aggression (Jagoe 1996);
• The presence of other dogs in house leads to less fear aggression dependant upon the age spread of dogs (Thompson personal communication PC);
• Dogs kept outside show increased aggression to strangers (Thompson PC);
• Dogs which are walked more have less stranger aggression (Kobect 2003);
• Dogs which have a free run on open space show increased socialisation and therefore less behaviour problems;
• Lack of research on dog type before purchase leads to increased behaviour problems. Those dogs chosen for practicality have less problems whereas those chosen for appearance increased problems (Roll and Unsheim 1997);
• First time dog owners have more behaviour problems in their dogs (Jagoe 1996);
• Those dog owners who have taken classes with their puppies have less behaviour problems as adult dogs (Lindsay 2000).