KC Child And Dog Safety Seminar

The Kennel Club (KC) hosted a seminar last week under its Safe and Sound Scheme to raise awareness of child safety around dogs. The seminar focused on the relationships and issues which cause canine aggression, media perception of dog biting incidents and the realities of children and dog interaction in today's society.

Around 50 people from various backgrounds attended, including head teachers, teaching staff, dog training instructors, animal wardens, veterinarians, local councillors and journalists.

Gerald King, Chairman of the KC Safe and Sound Working Party, chaired the seminar.

Behaviourist, John Rogerson, gave a presentation into the causes of many types of canine behaviour and provided some insight into the issues which can cause an aggressive reaction from a dog.

KC Secretary Caroline Kisko spoke about the perception created by the media when incidents occur. She highlighted the positive work currently being done by the Kennel Club to counteract the negative assumptions associated with all dogs when biting incidents occur.

Heidi Lawrence and Sarah Runchman, from the Kennel Club's Education department then spoke of how, where and when children are likely to be bitten and how this links directly into the child safety developmental work included within the Safe and Sound Scheme programme.

Jeff Lloyd, Head of Robin Hood Primary School, spoke of how his school had been the first to implement the Safe and Sound Practical Award pilot scheme. He discussed the success of the scheme and the positive impact it has already had on his students.

Mark Callis and Lisa Martin, animal wardens from Wandsworth Borough Council, concluded the discussions by outlining the current Active Schools programme within their borough, which includes the KC Safe and Sound Scheme.

The seminar was aimed at those involved with education and safety of children, in particularly teachers, animal wardens and also the media. The aim of the seminar was to initiate a greater understanding of dogs and their behaviour, and of the awareness needed to keep children safe around dogs, wherever they are.