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Council advises children to play safe around dogs
In recent weeks Strabane District Council has been investigating a number of attacks by dogs on people and family pets and have issued advice on staying safe. A Council Official said “as we are now in the summer holiday period, children will be out playing for longer periods and the opportunity to encounter dogs which may result in an attack shall obviously increase.
A few tips for keeping your children safe are as follows:-
1. Never let your children rush up to a strange dog or shout loudly at it as this could scare the dog, and it may react angrily.
2. If you see the owner and you and your child want to pet the dog, ask if it is ok to do so; and if so, hold out your hand and let the dog come to you.
3. Do not let your children go near or disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, ill, or injured, as it is likely to react badly.
4. Do not let your children tease any dog or play too roughly with it.
5. NEVER leave young children unsupervised with any dog, no matter how well you think you may know it, even for a few minutes.
6. If you are a dog owner you must adopt a responsible attitude and never permit your dog to stray. You must train and socialise your dog to act safely around children. Dog owners are legally responsible for the actions of their pets which unfortunately on occasion can have major consequence.
Council Chairman, Thomas Kerrigan explained that although family pets can play an important part of family life, it is essential that dogs are not permitted to become a common source of annoyance or danger in the community.
He said “It is ever dog owner’s responsibility to look after their pets and to keep them secure and under control at all times; that way our children can be kept safe!”
For more information contact:
David Turner
Technical Services Licensing Officer
Technical Services
Tel: 02871 382204 Ext. 274
Email: dturner@strabanedc.com
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